Community Events & Area Attractions
History Of West Point
First pioneers. “In the year 1834 a man by the name of Whiteaker,
in looking over the beautiful prairies in and about West Point, was impressed
with the place as a location for a town. His idea was that the town should
be situated in the timber, or at least on the edge of the woodland. Mr.
Whiteaker made the necessary steps to claim a large part, if not all the
land upon which West Point is now built.” In 1835 Whiteaker sold his
claim to Messrs. John Howell and John L. Cotton, who had built a log cabin
and a small store near the present day north-west corner of the square.
The success of Cotton’s store, the towns first, resulted in the young
city being called “Cotton Town.” In 1836, these gentlemen sold
their claims to Abraham Hunsicker, who was the first to lay out a square
with one tier of lots on each side.
West Point receives its name. It was early in May, 1835, when
Wm. Patterson, Hawkins Tayler, Alexander H. Walker and Green Casey
arrived on the Black Hawk Purchase from Illinois. They were all
Kentuckians by birth and education. On being pleased with the location
for a young community, they eventually purchased the claim of Hunsicker,
laying out additional lots. The name of West Point was given it
at the suggestion of the officers of the garrison at Fort Des Moines,
who agreed, if allowed to name the town, to purchase a number of
lots. Fort Des Moines was located at present day Montrose, approximately
15 miles distant.
First brick building. On June 24, 1837, Messrs. Patterson, Taylor,
Walker and Casey organized the first church in the community and
in 1838, erected a brick structure one block west of the northwest
corner of the City Square. This first brick building in West Point
and the first brick church in Iowa (and oldest church of its denomination
in the state), continues to serve the community today as the West
Point Presbyterian Church. Additional churches established in the
young city of West Point included the Methodist Episcopal Church
in 1839 in the old log schoolhouse at the corner of Race & Jefferson,
German M.E. Church in 1852 on the corner of Hayne Street, Mennonite
Church in 1845 with services held in private homes until a log
structure was built 3 miles south of West Point near Sugar Creek
in 1850, and the Catholic Church organized in summer of 1842 with
services in a frame building dedicated in 1843 on the site of the
present brick edifice which was built in 1858, 2 years before the
start of the War of Emancipation (Civil War).
 |
| The first West Point Presbyterian Church in West Point was erected during 1838-1839. The present brick structure, which was constructed 1860-1861 at a cost of $5,000, was built on the site of the earlier building. The bell tower was not built until later. The first structure, which was also brick -- was the first brick building in West Point and the first brick church in Iowa. The church was the third to be organized under the authority of the Presbytery of Schuyler (Illinois), in the territory which is now Iowa. The other two churches lasted only for a short time, making the West Point Presbyterian Church the oldest church of its denomination in the state. |
Great Grandmother of Mark Twain. Of particular note in West Point
history is the pioneer family of Jane Casey, wife of Revolutionary
soldier Col. Wm.Casey. The grave sites of Jane and two of her five
siblings, Green and Pollya, life-long residents of West Point,
are located in the City Cemetery, West Point. It was Green and
Pollya’s sister Margaret, who married Col. Benjamin Lampon,
whose daughter in turn, married John Marshall Clemens, father of
Samuel Langhorn Clemens (Mark Twain). Samuel Clemens was 9 years
old when his Great Grandmother Jane Casey passed away, in 1844.
Early County Seat. The Legislative Assembly of the Wisconsin Territory,
having selected the “east half of southeast quarter of Section
5, Town 68 north of Range 5 west, located the county seat at West
Point on March 20, 1843 (later moved to Fort Madison, some nine-miles
distant).” The original court house building was 45' by 50'
in size constructed of brick with a stone foundation in the present
day City Square.
Parks & Recreation
In West Point:
City Square Park - Park offering children’s play area, basketball
court (night lighting), restrooms and shelter house. Contact
(319)837-6313 for more information or to reserve.
South Park - A 17 acre park featuring a baseball/softball field and bleachers
(with night lighting), a soccer field, two tennis courts (with
night lighting), horseshoe pits, a children’s play area, restrooms,
concession stand, picnic area, and access to Pollmiller Lake Park conservation
area. Contact
837-6313 for more information or to reserve.
Veterans Memorial Park. A baseball/softball field and bleachers located
on west-side of town and adjacent to corn fields. This “field-of-dreams” is
equipped with concession stand, restrooms and night lighting.
Contact 837-6313 for more information or to reserve.
Pollmiller Lake Park. An 86 acre Lee County Conservation Area adjacent
to West Point. Amenities include sunbathing and swimming areas, shower facilities,
fishing, boating, camping (all services), horse-shoe pits, nature walk,
numerous play and picnic areas, and restrooms and concession hut. Contact
(319)464-7673 for more information.
Within 15 miles of West Point:
Denning Conservation Area (1640 130th St. S.of Houghton). A 260 acre conservation
area that includes picnic shelter, toilet facilities, hiking trails and
children play ground. Contact (319)463-7673.
Geode State Park (Danville). Camping, fishing, swimming and boating. Contact
(319)392-4601.
Heron Bend (2652 Hwy 61 N. of Montrose). A 322 acre conservation area that
includes picnic shelter, hiking trails, and stream for motor boat or canoe.
Contact (319)463-7673.
Lake Wilderness (West Point). Camping, fishing, swimming and boating. Contact
(319)837-6288.
Shimek State Forest (Farmington, Donnellson & Lick Creek areas).
Largest single tract of forest in Iowa that encompasses 8,901 acres producing
wood,
recreation and wildlife. Includes ponds for fishing, camp sites,
picnic areas, extensive system of hiking trails and trails for horseback
riders.
Contact (319)878-3811
Wilson Lake Park (2195 220 St. N. of Hwy 2 near Franklin). A 116 acre
conservation area with 6 acre lake for fishing, swimming or canoeing.
Includes camp sites,
picnic shelter, toilet facilities, hiking trails and children’s
playground. Contact (319)463-7673.
Community Events
Bar-Stool Open – Yearly fund-raising event conducted the first Saturday in April. Fifty-nine golf-putting teams played the third annual event in 2005, raising money for local-area fire departments. Point of contact is Phil’s Pub at (319) 837-8700.
City-wide Garage Sale – Annual popular event conducted from 7am-2pm on the second Saturday of June. The 12th annual event in 2005 drew an estimated 5,000 customers from the tri-state area of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, who came by bus, van and automobile, and filled city streets. Point of contact is Vicky Kokjohn at (319) 837-6249.
Fathers Day Breakfast – A favorite annual event conducted on the third Sunday in June from 8am-11am. Sponsored by the West Point Volunteer Fire Department and held in the community Fire Station, located on Avenue F. Point of contact is Chris Fullenkamp at (319) 837-6178.
Fourth of July Celebration – A day-long celebration conducted on the Saturday before the fourth of July in South Park, from 4pm-10pm. An estimated 6,000 fans and visitors (including extended families) enjoyed the 2005 event which included entertainment, games for children, and one of the largest fireworks displays in the area. Sandwiches, beer, soft drinks, chips, funnel cakes, cotton candy and caramel apples are sold. Baseball/softball games are held. Point of contact is Greg Stuekerjuergen at (319) 837-6532.
Pancake Breakfast – Occurs on the Sunday preceding the Sweet Corn Festival (see following event) from 8am-11am. Sponsored by the American Legion and hosted in the shelter house, in the town square. Pancakes are served with sausage patties or sausage links along with orange juice, milk and coffee. The American Legion can be reached at (319) 837-6711.
Sweet Corn Festival – An estimated 25,000 attended the 52nd annual festival in 2004, a premier tri-state attraction traditionally conducted during the second week of August from Thursday thru Sunday inclusive, in the town square. All you can eat FREE sweet corn and FREE stage entertainment. Barbecue porkchop or chicken dinners served daily. Archway Amusements Midway, arts and crafts, bingo, 5K & 10K run, queen crowning, children’s contests, mini-garden tractor pulls, parade and more. Contact City Hall at (319) 837-6313 for schedule of events and chairman telephone numbers.
Fall Festival – A two-day festival occurring over the second weekend in October in the Holy Trinity Gymnasium (Avenue C in West Point). A popular taco supper is served from 5pm-9pm on Saturday evening with an auction (from 6-10pm). Auction continues on Sunday at 9am until finished (midnight?). Contact St. Mary’s parish office at (319) 837-6808 for details.
Christmas Hometown Holiday – A full-day event conducted on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving. The 2004 open-house included a $1,000 community gift basket donated by area merchants. In additions, Arctic Glacier Ice provided tours of the ice plant, Lee County Bank & Trust offered horse-drawn carriage rides, the Pilot Grove Savings Bank distributed community dollars (gift certificates for area merchants), and the School Choir sang carols in town square. Point of contact is Amy Mueller at (319) 837-6714.
Area Festivals, Attractions & Historic
Sites within 25-mile radius of West Point
FESTIVALS (City Hall telephone)
| June - Strawberry Festival (Farmington) |
(319)878-3711 |
| July - Lee County Fair - Iowa’s oldest (Donnellson) |
(319)835-5714 |
| August - Shuck Fest & Sweet Corn Festival (West Point) |
(319)837-6313 |
| August - Watermelon Festival (Montrose) |
(319)463-5533 |
| August - Midwest Old Threshers Reunion (Mt. Pleasant) |
(319)385-1470 |
| August - Grape Festival (Nauvoo) |
(217)453-2587 |
| September - Apple Daze (Donnellson) |
(319)835-5714 |
| September - Tri-State Rodeo - national competition (Ft. Madison) |
(319)372-7700 |
AREA ATTRACTIONS & HISTORIC SITES
| Boy Scout WWII Memorial - West Point (Mike Schierbrock)
E-mail for complete list (www.Troop101.thescouts.com) |
(319)837-6003 |
|
| Casino and River Cruises - Catfish Bend Casinos L.C. |
(800)372-2WIN |
|
| Civil War Re-enactment - annual re-enactment of the Civil
War Battle of Pea Ridge |
(800)383-1219 |
keokukia@interl.net |
 Camping/Conservation/Recreation areas: |
| Denning Conservation Area (Houghton) |
(319)463-7673 |
|
| Geode State Park (Danville) |
(319)392-4601 |
|
| Lake Wilderness (West Point) |
(319)837-6288 |
|
| Pollmiller Lake Park (West Point) |
(319)463-7673 |
|
| Shimek State Forest (Farmington, Donnellson & Lick Creek)
- largest single tract of forest in Iowa |
(319)878-3811 |
|
| Wilson Lake Park (Franklin) |
(319)463-7673 |
|
Eagle Days - largest national concentration of bald eagles
|
(800)383-1219 |
keokukia@interl.net |
| Geological Significance - Lee
County quarries are principal site for
geodes in Iowa. Large quantities of geodes, spherical masses
of
silex that are usually hollow and lined with crystals of quartz,
have been used in the finest structures in the state, including
post
offices in Des Moines and Dubuque.
Specimens on exhibit in
the Library/Museum/Tourist Information Center in West Point |
(319)837-6313 |
|
| Golf Courses: |
| Green Acres Country Club (Donnellson) |
(319)835-5011 |
|
| Sheaffer Memorial Golf Park (Highway 16 access) |
(319)528-6214 |
|
| Spring Lake Golf Club (Ft. Madison) |
(319)372-9937 |
|
| Living Farms Experience - Library/Museum/Tourist
Information Center. |
(319)837-6313 |
|
| Military Fort - accurate reconstruction of the first military
fort on the
upper Mississippi River (Ft. Madison) |
(319)372-6318 |
|
| Mark Twain - grave site of Jane Casey, Great
Grandmother to Samuel
Langhorne Clemens, and two of her children, Pollya and Green,
are in West Point. Jane Casey and her children are counted
as
pioneers of the community |
(319)837-6313 |
|
| Museums: |
| Fort Madison - North Lee County Historical Center |
(319)372-7661 |
|
| Keokuk - Keokuk River Museum |
(319)524-4765 |
|
| West Point (opening April 2004) |
(319)837-6315 |
|
| Pioneer Cemeteries - Lee County Pioneer Cemetery
Association (Terry Altheide) |
(319)524-5185 |
|
| Railroading:
|
| Minersville- authentic restored, full size trains
and pre WWII era
village (Franklin) |
(319)837-6689 |
|
| Old Santa Fe Depot - 1909 mission revival style
depot serving also as Historical Museum (Fort Madison) |
(319)372-7700 |
|
| Narrow-Gauge Railway Depot - 1879 wood structure
built to serve South East Iowa’s growing agricultural
needs (Pilot Grove). |
(319) |
|
| Underground Railroad/Quaker Museum (Salem, Iowa) |
(319)385-2460 |
|
Unique area architecture, statuary and stained glass:
|
| St. Mary’s Catholic Church - ornate
Prussian-gothic brick structure built Civil War era (1858-1861(
in West Point, Iowa. Includes statuary of the BMV above main
altar that was manufactured in Paris, France for 1893 Chicago
Columbian Expedition. (Parish Office)
The first Catholic Church in West Point was organized in 1842 under the administration of Fr. J.G. Alleman, who was stationed in Ft. Madison. He held services in the home of Joseph Strothman, in West Point. Fr. August Brickwedde, a Missionary priest, previously served the area beginning in 1838. The first resident pastor in West Point was Fr. B. Wolterman, who oversaw the construction of the first church, a 21x40 ft. frame structure, in 1853. Construction of the large present day brick church began before the Civil War in 1858, under the guidance of Fr. J.G. Refffe. The brick ediface was remodeled in 1877 and a new steeple was added in 1902. The original steeple is still inside the present, making St. Mary of the Assumption the only church in Iowa with twin steeples, one inside the other. In 1941 the present confessionals were added, and in 1942, the whole church was renovated both interior and exterior - to its present day appearance.
|
(319)837-6808 |
|
West Point Presbyterian Church - first brick
structure in West Point
and site of first brick church in Iowa. Oldest, continuous
Presbyterian congregation west of the Mississippi.(Buchholtz)
Members of the fourth, fifth and sixth generation of the descendants of the Rev. Cowles are shown, visiting the West Point Presbyterian Church in 2007. Rev. Alexander Ewing was the first resident pastor, followed by Salmon Cowles, then Pastor George Stewart. The history of the church, which was organized on June 24, 1837, is closely associated with the earliest days of the community. The pulpit and pews are believed to be original to the structure. The old organ, in the background, was added in 1914.
|
(319)837-6764 |
|
| St. James Catholic Church - recently restored
brick German-gothic structure built in 1883 in St. Paul, Iowa.
Community is site of first
church (log structure) built in 1838, and third Catholic Church
in
the State of Iowa. (Parish Office) |
(319)469-2001 |
|
| St. John Catholic Church - stone and brick Romanesque
structure built in1945 in Houghton, Iowa. Features a roof of
weathered
English baked tile, carved entrance doors from Mexico, 8 ½ ton
solid Carrara marble altar (largest single-stone exported from
Italy)
and a 10x5 foot main altar crucifix imported from Ortissi,
Italy.
(Parish Office) |
(319)469-2001 |
|
| Methodist Episcopal Church - a circa 1850 brick structure
built
for worship and Sabbath school |
(319)837-6313 |
|
| Vineyards/Winery:
|
| Baxter’s Vineyards/Winery - established in 1885 and
the oldest
winery in Illinois, in historic Nauvoo. Complementary wine
tasting,
gift baskets, tours and handcrafted gifts made by area craftsmen |
(217)453-2528 |
|
| Christian Herschler District Winery and Stagecoach Stop -
circa
1840 historic structure in Franklin township. Bed & Breakfast
Inn,
tours, handcrafted gifts, gardens and more |
(319)835-9432 |
|
Directory Of Local Organizations
serving the West Point community
CHURCHES
The large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which stands behind and above the main altar in St. Mary of the Assumption, was sculptured in Paris, France and displayed in the French Pavilion at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, forerunner to present day Worlds Fair. The statue is believed to have been sculptured by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who sculptured the model for the Statue of Liberty – located in New York Harbor.
| St. James Catholic Church, Houghton |
|
|
|
| St. James Parish (Mr. Brian Foecke) |
|
(319)837-6047 |
|
| St. John's Catholic Church, St. Paul (Rectory/Rev. Huffman) |
|
|
|
| St. John's Parish (Mr. Steve Thompson) |
|
(319)837-2751 |
|
| St. Mary's Catholic Church, West Point (Rectory/Rev. Apo Mpanda) |
|
(319)837-8120 |
|
| St. Mary's Parish (Mr. Bob Schierbrock) |
|
(319)837-6059 |
|
| West Point Presbyterian Church (Mr. Larry Buccholtz - parishioner) |
|
(319)837-6764 |
|
SCHOOLS (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm telephone)
| Central Lee Community Schools (Administration) |
|
(319)835-9510 |
|
| Fort Madison Community School District |
|
(319)372-7252 |
|
| Holy Trinity Catholic School Inc (facsimile) |
|
(319)837-8112 |
|
| Mr. Daniel Kieler - Holy Trinity Middle School |
|
(319)837-6131 |
|
| Mrs. Tammy Conrad - Holy Trinity Schools, St. Paul Center |
|
(319)469-3881 |
|
ORGANIZATIONS(Dir/Chief/President listed)
| American Legion Auxiliary (Rita Harmeyer) |
|
(319)837-6463 |
|
| American Legion Post 668 (Rod Harmeyer) |
|
(319)837-6151 |
|
| Area Chamber of Commerce (Executive Director) |
|
(319)372-5471 |
|
| Boy Scouts - Troop 20 (Mike Schierbrock) |
|
(319) 837-6003 |
|
| Catfish Bend Casino Executive Management Committee (Joe Massa) |
|
(319)372-1000 |
|
| Community Public Library Foundation (Vern Meierotto) |
|
(319)837-6660 |
|
| Cub Scouts (Bob Linnenbrink) |
|
(319)837-6041 |
|
| Daughters of Isabella - Madonna Circle (Renalda Pieper) |
|
(319)469-7701 |
|
| Daughters of Isabella - St. Ann.s Circle (Bertha Todd) |
|
(319)837-6555 |
|
| Fall Festival Chairman (Tom/Karen Kokjohn) |
|
(319)837-0025 |
|
| Fathers Day Breakfast Coordinator (Chris Fullenkamp) |
|
(319)837-6654 |
|
| Garage Sale Planning Coordinator (Vicky Kokjohn) |
|
(319)837-6249 |
|
| Girl Scouts - Shining Trail Council (Michele Dyer) |
|
(319)837-6497 |
|
| Heritage Club (Pilot Grove Savings Bank) |
|
(319)837-6121 |
|
| Historical Society (Carl Johnston) |
|
(319)837-6491 |
|
| Knights of Columbus at Houghton (Paul Conrad) |
|
(319)467-6411 |
|
| Knights of Columbus at West Point (Larry Schroeder) |
|
(319)837-6388 |
|
| Lee County Board of Supervisors (Ann Pederson, Clerk) |
|
(319)372-6557 |
|
| Lee County Conservation Board (Tom Buckley) |
|
(319)463-7673 |
|
| Lee County Farm Bureau (Mike Holtkamp) |
|
(319)837-6948 |
|
| Long Beards Turkey Federation (Chris Fullenkamp) |
|
(319)837-6654 |
|
| Prairie Hunters (Leroy Mueller) |
|
(319)837-6287 |
|
| SE Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc.(Dennis Zegarac) |
|
(800)292-1268 |
|
| SE Iowa Regional Riverboat Commission (Larry Smith) |
|
(319)837-5471 |
|
| St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department (Kevin Merschman) |
|
(319)469-3008 |
|
| Sweet Corn Festival Planning Committee (Dean & Judy Moeller) |
|
(319)837-6334 |
|
| Team Gnarley Bike Club (Brian Meierotto) |
|
(319)837-6212 |
|
| Topless Club - Convertable Car Association (Danny Lampe) |
|
(319)837-6879 |
|
| United Way (Connie Storms, Admin Coordinator) |
|
(319)372-3585 |
|
| West Point Ball Association (Mike Holtkamp) |
|
(319)837-6948 |
|
| West Point Community Club (Larry Buchholtz) |
|
(319)837-6764 |
|
| West Point Fireworks Committee (Greg Stuekerjurgen) |
|
(319)837-6532 |
|
| West Point Navy (Chad Hannum) |
|
(319)837-6048 |
|
| West Point Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Chris Fullenkamp) |
|
(319)837-6178 |
|
| West Point/St. Paul Community Fire Assn (Chris Fullenkamp) |
|
(319)837-6178 |
|
Distance Guide
LOCAL AREA. Following communities (and location of area attractions) that
are within the 25-mile radius of the community of West Point. Distance
is in road miles.
Community |
Distance to
West Point
(miles)
|
Population |
Bonaparte |
15 |
458 |
Burlington/W.Burlington (Des Moines
Cty) |
23 |
30,000 |
Danville (Des Moines Cty) |
19 |
914 |
Denmark |
10 |
400 |
Donnellson |
12 |
963 |
Farmington |
15 |
756 |
Fort Madison |
9 |
10,715 |
Franklin |
6 |
136 |
Houghton |
12 |
130 |
Keokuk |
24 |
11,427 |
Middletown (Des Moines Cty) |
17 |
386 |
Montrose |
15 |
957 |
Mt. Pleasant (Henry Cty) |
23 |
8,751 |
Nauvoo (IL) |
20 |
1,108 |
Pilot Grove |
8 |
25 |
Salem |
18 |
464 |
St. Paul |
6 |
118 |
MIDWEST AREA. The following cities are within a days driving distance from
West Point. Distance is in road (interstate) miles. (Source: www.aaa.com)
Community
|
Distance
to West Point
in miles |
Population
|
Chicago ( Illinois ) |
340 (3 1/2 hrs) |
8,449,180 |
Kansas City ( Kansas ) |
295 (6 hrs) |
1,751,14 |
St. Louis ( Missouri ) |
205 (4.3/4 hrs) |
348,189 |
Des Moines ( Iowa ) |
185 (3 3/4 hrs) |
193,187 |
Minneapolis ( Minnesota ) |
365 (7 1/2 hrs) |
382,618 |
Area Maps
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larger version of highway map
|
