66 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



At tlie present time, for much of the way between Eldon and Belfast, 

 there is a highway on both the left and the right bank of the Des Moines 

 River, excepting at such points where it would be difficult to construct 

 a highway. There is a body of land varying all the way from fifty to 

 three hundred feet running to the highway. The state should have a 

 right to this land. I presume the United States Government has kept 

 its right to this property, except as it was given to certain individuals 

 to improve the area for mill and dam sites. Now it would seem that 

 the state should acquire title to this land, if need be, by Congressional 

 action. The proposed highway from. Keokuk to Des Moines is nearly 

 a reality and the state parkway would add greatly to its value as a high- 

 way. There would be added to this area also the width of the highway, 

 making an additional sixty feet or more. The state would then own for 

 park purposes, a considerable patch of land along the Des Moines. Ad- 

 ditional land, 80 to 100 acres in extent, should be acquired by purchase 

 at various points along the river, land which is not valuable for agri- 

 cultural purposes but would be ideal for the state park, Mt. Zion, Douds- 

 Leando, Kilbourne, Pittsburg, Keosauqua, Bentonsport, Bonaparte, Farm- 

 ington, Croton, Hinsdale and Eldon. In addition, small wooded areas 

 should also be purchased, a few acres in extent, near the outlets of small 

 streams, situated between the cities. This would give opportunity for 

 those using the highway to stop for recreation. 



At Croton and other points there should be purchased parts of the 

 deep canyon to preserve the native, rare plants. Below Croton, for 

 instance, it would 'be well to purchase all of the crest of the hill as there 

 are some historic Indian relics in this region. The whole area to be 

 purchased, from Eldon to Belfast, would not exceed twelve hundred acres 

 and would give southeastern Iowa a rare opportunity for recreation and 

 park purposes, so far as the natural areas are concerned the scenic, 

 scientific and historic features are unsurpassed in southeastern Iowa. 

 It would seem to me that this area has a rare historic interest. Much 

 of the early Iowa history was made in this section of the state. Per- 

 haps no other part of Iowa has produced so many great men of the 

 nation and state as this small region. We have here a rare opportunity 

 of preserving for the future generations, the growth of building opera- 

 tions in the state, from the log cabins, of which a few still remain, to 

 the Virginia spacious house and its fire-place to the architecture of the 

 Civil War period and the growth since that time. A few of the old mills 

 and stores might be added to the list. It appears to me that some of 

 these places might be obtained by the state and included in the state 

 park. I feel sure that these buildings can be obtained at a very low 

 figure and, in some cases would be given to the state. 



Mr. Harlan has so forcefully expressed the value of this area from 

 the historic standpoint, that his report should be made an important 

 part of our recommendations to the Executive Council. I concur most 

 heartily with his recommendations. 



The Farmington area and lake investigated is on the west side of the 

 Des Moines. In order to reach it one must cross the Des Moines river 

 at Farmington, going down the Des Moines and crossing Indian Creek 



