20l8 Guidebook. Family or Group Name: Number of Adults: Number of Children:

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1 20l8 Guidebook Family or Group Name: Number of Adults: Number of Children:

2 The Turkey River Safari was created by: Turkey River Recreational Corridor Board Clayton County Conservation Fayette County Conservation With gratitude towards: Winneshiek County Driftless Safari (driftless-safari.org) AJ Perling (Snowball Creative Services) Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development Clayton County Conservation staff Fayette County Conservation staff Clermont Public Library Elgin Public Library Elkader Public Library West Union Public Library Osborne Welcome Center Gilbertson Nature Center Thank you for joining us on our 2018 Turkey River Safari adventure!

3 WELCOME Welcome to the 2018 Turkey River Safari! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, this is a summer-long adventure that will take you and your family to new and favorite places along the Turkey River Corridor. The Turkey River Recreational Corridor is a joint effort between Fayette and Clayton counties and the communities of Clermont, Elgin, Elkader, and Motor Mill Historic Site. As one of Iowa s Great Places, the Turkey River Recreational Corridor is working to create great outdoor adventures throughout the Turkey River Valley. This is your guidebook. You may visit the sites in any order, and we highly recommend for you to be creative in the ways you get to each site when it is safe to do so try bike riding on the trails, roller blading, or even canoeing! At each site, you ll be looking for a post like this. The symbols on the pages of this book match the symbols on the rubbing post you will find at specified safari sites. Make a rubbing crayons work best in the space provided on the page. Enjoy! Each site is a chance for you and your family and friends to grow closer, play outside, learn some history, and enjoy the beauty of the Turkey River Corridor!

4 Site information Place crayon rubbing here Stewardship message Clue Match this symbol How to Make a Rubbing l. Find the correct page in your guidebook. 2. Place the designated area of the corresponding page over the symbol. 3. Rub the side of the crayon slowly over the paper and watch the symbol take form! 4

5 Tips for Enriching Your Experience: Talk to the locals! If you are visiting a site for the first time, explore your community and speak to a trusted adult who works at the site! Some key people to meet may include a park ranger, tour guide, historian, or city staff person. Be prepared always! Keep your guidebook and map with you in your car or backpack all summer long; an adventure is always around the corner! Remember: It s summer! We want you and your family to be safe this summer! Remember to wear sunscreen, bring plenty of water and snacks, and wear sun-resistant clothing, including hats and sunglasses. And don t forget your camera, first-aid kit, and insect repellent! Be a good steward! We care about all living things and want to protect the land, animals, and fellow human beings so that future generations will have wild and precious places to explore! 5

6 Things to Do At Each Site Here are some extra activities you and your family can enjoy practically anywhere! l. Check ahead of time and see if there is a class or activity happening. Many of the sites have terrific web sites to let you know what is offered! 2. The limestone bluffs that surround the Turkey River Valley are a great place to look for fossils and interesting rocks. Check it out and start a collection of your own! 3. Visit your local farmer s market before your adventure and pack a picnic! 4. Bring your fishing pole and catch your supper! 5. Bald eagles and many other native birds can be seen all along the Turkey River. Start a journal to record all that you see during your safari adventure! 6. Go to your local library to find out the history and stories surrounding Clayton and Fayette counties. Just ask your librarian to hear a good story! Visit to find links to trail maps, local events, and more! We would also love to see your pictures as you are visiting the safari sites. To share pictures with us, please visit our Facebook page, or them to us at turkeyrivercorridor@gmail.com. 6

7 Table of Contents Pages Elkader Opera House Clayton County Courthouse Elkader Whitewater Feature Elkader Wetland Prairie Pony Hollow Trail Motor Mill Historic Site Chicken Ridge Overlook Osborne Disc Golf Course Osborne Nature Center Volga River Canoe Access Civil War Monument Elgin Trail Head Elgin City Park Valley Bridge Canoe Access Larrabee School Clermont City Park Clermont Depot Clermont Trail Head Goeken Park Duttons Cave Park Let the safari begin! 7 FAYETTE COUNTY SITES CLAYTON COUNTY SITES

8 Elkader Opera House 207 N Main Street, Elkader The Elkader Opera House is best known as an excellent performance space for world renowned artists and as the home to the Keystone Barbershop Chorus and Opera House Players. However, the Opera House has served a variety of functions throughout the years since its completion in Past uses for the building include a club and community space, dance hall, roller rink, library, and fire station. Currently, the lower level of the opera house hosts a number of municipal departments and civic organizations including the Elkader City Hall, Elkader Main Street Office, Elkader Chamber of Commerce, the Abdel-Kader Sister City Museum, and the Elkader Police Department. 8 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

9 CLUE: Look near the entrance to City Hall. 9

10 Clayton County Courthouse 111 North High Street, Elkader The Clayton County Courthouse, built in , is an example of Italianate style architecture. The light red brick structure rests on a foundation of limestone blocks quarried five blocks away. An addition built in and the construction of the clock tower in 1896 completed the existing building. The Clayton County Board of Supervisors and the Clayton County Historic Preservation Commission are working together to rehabilitate the clock tower over the next two years. The clock face has already been restored to its original black color. 10 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

11 CLUE: Check out what time it is and you will be close. 11

12 Elkader Whitewater Feature 402 North High Street, Elkader The Turkey River, which flows through the middle of Elkader, has long been an asset to the area. In the aftermath of the flood of 2008, the opportunity to reclaim the river for recreation, education, and tourism arose. A new whitewater feature was added to the river in 2013 and the feature caters to Water Trail users who enjoy kayaking, boogie boarding, tubing, and fishing. The feature is one of three whitewater features in Iowa along with Manchester and Charles City. After a brief period of closure, the "Gobbler" is now open! 12 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

13 CLUE: Look for an overlook across the river from Founders' Park along the City Trail. 13

14 Elkader Wetland Prairie Elkader City Park: 423 South High Street, Elkader The wetland prairie can be seen across Hwy 13 and is made up of an oxbow, or a U-shaped lake that formed when a wide meander from the main stem of the Turkey River was cut off due to erosion and deposits of soil over time. See the map below: Oxbow Turkey River You Are Here 14 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

15 CLUE: Look near the big "Elkader" sign while you are exploring the disc golf course. 15

16 Pony Hollow Trail Travel North on Hwy 13 from Elkader, turn right on 250th St. before Fast Trak - Look to your right The Pony Hollow Trail is a 4 mile lime chipped trail which was an old railroad bed. The trail provides a great multi-use trail experience for people on foot, bicycle, or horseback. Trail users have the opportunity to travel through timber areas, open fields and along a creek bed with opportunities to see plenty of wildlife. Clayton County Conservation is currently working to expand the trail to create a completed loop around Elkader. 16 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

17 CLUE: Look near the beginning of the trail near the wooden posts. 17

18 Motor Mill Historic Site Grain Road, Elkader The Motor Mill Historic Site is located just outside Elkader along the Turkey River. Stone for the construction of the mill was quarried from atop the bluff north of the mill and lowered down in a specially designed cable car system. German stonemasons from nearby communities built the mill and it was operational by fall of The original bridge at Motor was a highsided wooden structure built in 1868 and was replaced with a two span iron bridge in The 2008 flood washed out the north span of the iron bridge. In 2016, a replica of the iron bridge was installed. New interpretive panels were recently installed in and outside of the Mill! 18 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

19 CLUE: You will find the post near a very large map. 19

20 Chicken Ridge Overlook Travel South on Hwy 13 from Elkader and take the first left gravel drive after Grandview Road. Chicken Ridge, one of the highest points in Clayton County, provides a spectacular view to take in the expanse of two major watersheds, hardwood forests, and bucolic farmsteads. In addition to the viewing platform, native prairie plants were introduced and roadside shrubs and trees were removed to open up the view of the valley. The overlook also offers interpretation featuring geology, topography, and habitat. 20 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

21 CLUE: Check out the wooden viewing platform. 21

22 Osborne Disc Golf Course Travel South on Hwy 13 from Elkader and take the 2nd left after Barn on the Bluff (between 2 stone pillars) If you take this scenic gravel drive all the way to the end you will find the 8th "hole" of the newly built Osborne Disc Golf Course! You will also see the entrance to the Clayton County Archers course that offers a mix of hilly terrain and open grassland with 50 3D targets. 22 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

23 CLUE: Look near the disc golf basket near the parking area. 23

24 Osborne Nature Center Osborne Road, Elkader The Osborne Nature Center has many fun activities to offer! Take a stroll along the Riverwalk and find an Eagle s nest nearby. Visit the Playscape to admire the Osborne Flower Gardens while testing your skills on the tic-tac toe board or be creative and make a castle with natural wood blocks. Look for bugs while crawling through a gigantic hollow log or test your luck while hopping across tree trunks. Come discover the magic of music while playing a hand crafted marimba. Come inside the Nature Center to learn about caves, bugs, and wildlife. You can even crawl through a cave and look for bats! 24 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

25 CLUE: Look for lower entrance to the Nature Center. 25

26 Volga River Canoe Access Travel North of Volga on Domino Road, turn left on Cass St. Pass the Volga U Campground and park near the closed bridge. Located on the Volga River in the heart of the Volga Valley, Volga City is one of the most scenic locations in the State of Iowa. Recreational opportunities abound with the best smallmouth bass fishing in the area. Visit the home of the historic Volga City Opera House and float down the wild Volga River... Elkader Monona Postville 26 CLAYTON COUNTY SITE

27 CLUE: Look down in the grass to the left of the closed bridge. 27

28 Civil War Monument Wadena City Park, Wadena The City of Wadena is located in the Illyria Township in Fayette County on the banks of the Volga River. Wadena is known for its famous Rock Festival held in August of 1970 on a nearby farm. You can find the recently restored civil war monument in the Wadena City Park. The monument was restored by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) brother David Christen in Abernethy Camp 48. When you are done here you can go see one of the Barn Quilts of Fayette County or view the illuminated cross high on the bluff above Wadena at night. Katsumes Law Office 28 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

29 CLUE: You will find the monument near a swingset in the park. 29

30 Elgin Trail Head Travel to the East edge of Elgin before you cross the bridge into Gilbertson Park. This Turkey River Recreational Corridor (TRRC) trail segment is part of the backbone of the Northeast Iowa Regional Trail System, which, when complete, will be a connected circuit of hundreds of miles of interlocking, diverse, trail experiences throughout Northeast Iowa. The pedestrian bridge ahead of you was just built and connects this segment of trail to the 900-acre Gilbertson Conservation Education Area (Gilbertson Park) across the Turkey River. 30 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

31 CLUE: Look near where you can get some shade before walking the trail. 31

32 Elgin City Park Center Street, Downtown Elgin Relax in the Elgin City Park located in downtown Elgin. The park includes a Swiss clock tower, historic bell, and a unique outdoor stage used for regular community events and performances. The City was designated the 2018 River Town of the Year and will host their lustrum (every 5 years) Homecoming Celebration in TORKELSON S ELGIN & WAUKON 32 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

33 CLUE: Forgot your watch? Check the time and you will be close. 33

34 Valley Bridge Canoe Access Canoe Road, Elgin The 98-mile Turkey River Water Trail begins on the Little Turkey River at Gouldsburg Park in Fayette County, merges with the Turkey River near Eldorado, and flows southeast through Fayette & Clayton Counties toward the Mississippi River. The Water Trail features beautiful scenery and numerous historic landmarks. This access is one of the most utilized along the Water Trail and connects to the Turkey River Recreational Corridor land trail between Elgin and Clermont. 34 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

35 CLUE: You will find the post near the trail at the entrance to the river access. 35

36 Larrabee School 505 Larrabee Street, Clermont The Larrabee School was designed by Charles A. Dieman of Cedar Rapids at the direction of Governor William Larrabee. The building is so accurately constructed, that it is likened to a solid block of cement, stone, brick, marble, and steel. Ground breaking took place in May of A must-see in the building is the drop curtain. It is an oil painting 23 feet by 15 feet by the artist Behr of Chicago, depicting a group of children at play in the local landscape. The City of Clermont, Clermont Historical Society, and Clermont Historic Commission are currently working to replace many of the windows in the building. Heart of the Valley Healthcare 36 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

37 CLUE: Look near some signs that can tell you about historic Clermont. 37

38 Clermont City Park 8l3 State Street, Clermont Enjoying the great outdoors is easy in Clermont with several parks and campgrounds to enjoy. The City Park hosts the annual Brick City Days celebration each fall and is a great place to enjoy a picnic beneath the mature shade trees. Be sure to check out the Clermont Trail just a few blocks south of the park. There are also directional signs and kiosks to help guide you through the community as you enjoy the Turkey River Recreational Corridor trail system. 38 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

39 CLUE: Look near the Clermont Community Club shelter. 39

40 Clermont Depot Across Hwy 18 from 806 Mill Street, Clermont The railroad had a major impact on Clermont's economic and cultural history. The Clermont Depot was built by the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern (BCR&N) Railway sometime between 1871 and 1875 and it functioned as a combination passenger and freight station, as well as the residence of the railway stationmaster. In due course, a majority stockholder interest in the BCR&N was purchased by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which took over operation of the line in As part of the Rock Island system, Clermont enjoyed regular scheduled passenger service and was an important shipping point for agricultural products, bricks, gravel, coal, machinery, and other merchandise. 40 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

41 CLUE: Look across the street near Lincoln Park. 41

42 Clermont Trail Head 100 Thompson Street, Clermont This section of the Turkey River Recreational Trail offers five miles of gravel for pedestrians to experience a walk through rural woodlands and along Northeast Iowa's agricultural landscape. This trail section will eventually connect to the northern portion of the Northeast Iowa Backbone Trail System in Calmar. 42 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

43 CLUE: Look near the trail head sign. 43

44 Goeken Park Lincoln Road, West Union Goeken Park worked with the River Bluffs Scenic Byway and Northeast Iowa RC&D to develop an artistic railing overlooking the small community of Eldorado in The railing you see in front of you was designed and constructed by Echo Valley Metal Works and includes iconic Northeast Iowa images in each section. 44 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

45 CLUE: The post is near the current railing at the overlook. 45

46 Duttons Cave Park Ironwood Road, West Union Duttons Cave Park is heavily timbered with a deep ravine ending in a 40-foot vertical limestone wall directly above the cave opening. Two spring-fed streams are located here along with a shelter house and hiking opportunities. The cave is not currently explorable to protect the resident bats. 46 FAYETTE COUNTY SITE

47 CLUE: Head to the Picnic Area. Follow the path towards the cave and look to your left as you approach the cave. 47

48 Conservation Tips Ride your bike or walk. Turn off the light as you leave each room. Conserve water when you do the dishes, brush your teeth, and shower. Recycle paper, plastics, and metals. Reuse what you can t recycle. Eat locally to save transportation costs. Spend time in nature. Limit the time you watch TV to one hour a day. Plant a garden. Open a window instead of using the air conditioner. Donate items you no longer need. Use rechargeable batteries. Compost leftover food waste. Visit a farmer s market get to know your local farmer. This guidebook was printed on recycled paper and is part of our journey to save the environment. We ask that you try to reduce, reuse, and recycle as well! 48

49 We thank our Turkey River Recreational Corridor Sponsors: Gold Bronze Bank 1st (West Union) Builders First Source Elgin Community Betterment Club Fayette County Economic Development Fayette County Tourism Freedom Bank (Elkader) Signs N Frames TJ s Pizza Alpine Communications Caterpillar Clayton County Development Group Elgin State Bank Elkader Development Corporation Federal Hybrids, Inc. Fennelly s Irish Pub Fitzgerald, Inc. Gifford Insurance Agency Heart of the Valley Healthcare Katsumes Law Office Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank Skip-a-Way Resort & Quarry Lodge Torkelson Motors, Inc. Viafield Andy and Maureen Johnson Baker Enterprises Bodensteiner Implement Company Catherine Britt Elkader Area Chamber of Commerce Fire Farm Lighting Irish Shanti Palmer Lutheran Health Center TiCo Market Treats on Bridge Street Valley Veterinary Clinic 55 Silver

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