Adair County is a destination for people wanting to experience the bounty and beauty of rural Iowa in the state’s Garden County.
Jesse James Historical Site
The Jesse James Historical Site in Adair County is the site of the first train robbery in the American West. This area has had passing trains since the railroad’s earliest day. In July of 183, the infamous outlaw Jesse James found out about a massive shipment of gold passing through Iowa. The train’s cargo was worth a total of $75,000, which was quite a sum during that time. Jesse James and his gang scouted the area and planned their historic train heist. Unfortunately, for them, the gold was delayed, but they still made off with over $3,000.
Jesse James Historical Site, 1469 State Hwy 925, Adair, IA 50002
Adair County Fair
Located in the city of Greenfield, the Adair County Fair takes place every year, beginning on the third Wednesday of July, and is one of the main events year for the area. In addition to a number of live music performances, the county fair also hosts a variety of other events and attractions, such as a rodeo, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, and a lumberjack show among others. The Adair County Fair also features several FFA and 4-H events, youth activities, and fair vendors throughout the multi-day fair. Camping is also allowed at the county fair in designated areas.
Adair County Fair, 900 NE Elm St, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 641-743-2856
The Ken Sidey Nature Area
Situated around 2.5 miles outside of Greenfield, The Ken Sidey Nature Area is more than one hundred acres of timberland and offers three miles of trails. The area is the site where Kenneth H. Sidey, who wrote columns for the Adair County Free Press newspaper in the 1930’s and 1940’s called “Nature Notes,” used to hike and gather information for his writings. The Ken Sidey Nature Area is actually part of a larger four-park complex in Adair County, which also consists of Lake Greenfield, Land between Two Lakes, and Nodaway Lake. The entire complex provides ten miles of trails for hiking.
The Ken Sidey Nature Area, 2521 Lewis Ave, Greenfield, IA 50849
Middle River Forest Area - Adair County
The Middle River Forest Area - Adair County in Iowa is a 38-acre park with access to the Middle River, walk-in primitive tent campsites, and a hiking trail. Located in Dexter, the forest area acts as a trailhead for the Middle River Water Trail, which offers opportunities for several recreational activities, such as wildlife viewing, canoeing, hiking, and fishing. There is also a canoe access ramp. The major fish species found in the Middle River Forest Area are carp and channel catfish, however, other fish like walleye, bullhead, and flathead catfish can be found in the area as well.
Middle River Forest Area - Adair County, 3234 200th Street, Dexter, IA 50070
Lake Orient Recreation Area - Adair County
Home to the 24-acre Lake Orient, the Lake Orient Recreation Area - Adair County offers outdoor recreation for all ages and features a walking trail, a playground, shelter houses, modern restrooms and shower house, campsites with water and electrical hookups, and fishing opportunities. A marker can be found in the area commemorating Henry A. Wallace, who was born nearby and served as United States Secretary of Agriculture, United States Secretary of Commerce, and United States Vice President. While the park is open year-round, electric and water service at the campground, as well as the restroom/shower house facility, is only open May to September.
Lake Orient Recreation Area - Adair County, Orient, IA 50858
Bridgewater Farm, Adair County, Iowa
A certified organic, small family farm, the Bridgewater Farm offers a variety of organic fresh produce, meats, and aggs in the town of Bridgewater, Iowa. The mission of the farm is to provide the local community and surrounding area with a local, sustainable food source and Bridgewater Farm takes pride in being able to offer multiple food options to people every year. Among the numerous types of produce available at the farm, crops include peppers, peas, pumpkins, onions, potatoes, leeks, kale, herbs, corn, grapes, garlic, greens, cucumbers, cauliflower, carrots, cantaloupe, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries, blackberries, broccoli, beets, beans, asparagus, and apples.
Bridgewater Farm, 2409 Brown Ave, Bridgewater, IA 50837, Phone: 641-745-5368
Greenfield Public Square Historic District
The Greenfield Public Square Historic District of Greenfield, Iowa is an area of Adair County with local Criterion A significance. 43 of 45 resources within this historic district are directly related to commercial development from the year 1856 to 1869, starting with the town’s platting in 1856 with the Lancaster square and ending with the picturesque square being selected as a film location for “Cold Turkey” in 1969. These historic buildings housed the amenities, services, and goods that were vital to the growing community of Greenfield. The Adair County Courthouse is the Public Square’s centerpiece, encircled by commercial buildings.
Greenfield Public Square Historic District, Public Square, Greenfield, IA, Phone: 641-743-8444
Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center
The Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center in Orient, Iowa is the birthplace farm of Henry A. Wallace and offers self-guided tours seven days of week. Born in 1888, Wallace served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Vice President, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce. In 1999, he was named as the “Most Influential Iowan of the 20th Century” by The Des Moines Register. Visitors can explore forty acres of the Wallace farm, produce and orchard gardens, the sculpture walking path, a pond and restored Iowa prairie, the Gathering Barn, and the Restored Farmhouse featuring a gift shop.
Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center, 2773 290th Street, Orient, IA, Phone: 641-337-5019
Iowa Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame
Housed at the Greenfield Municipal Airport, the Iowa Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame is a facility dedicated to preserving the aviation heritage of Iowa. Started in 1990, before the museum was opened, the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame was established to honor Iowa native who have significantly contributed to aviation’s growth and the museum features a tribute for each of the inductees.
There are nearly a dozen civil aircrafts on display at the museum, including a few rare examples of earlier flying machines from the 1920’s through the 1940’s, such as the 1941 de Havilland Tiger Moth.
Iowa Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame, 2251 Airport Rd, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 641-343-7184
Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm
The Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm in the Adair County city of Greenfield is operated as a satellite farm of Iowa’s Armstrong Research Farm. The beginnings of this farm date back to the formation of the Wallace Foundation in 1990, which was founded to enhance agricultural education and research within southwest Iowa.
In 1994, the Neely-Kinyon Research Farm was established after Margaret and Wayne Neely donated a farm measuring 160 acres in size. The farm today demonstrates and researches alternative approaches to agriculture. 40 quarter-acre plots in a block of 17 acres at the farm is dedicated to agricultural research.
Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm, 2557 Norfolk Ave, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 641-435-4864
Saints Center for Culture and the Arts
The Saints Center for Culture and the Arts, formerly the historic All Saints Church, is a public gathering place for the local community of Stuart, Iowa and hosts conferences, family gatherings, weddings, school events, concerts, and many other events and activities.
Housed within the Saints Center is a museum featuring interactive kiosks with information about the various religions in the world, explained in an unbiased non-promotional format. During the self-guided video tour, visitors can learn more about Chinese Traditional, Indigenous, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity reglions, as well as Non-Religions. The goal is to foster respect for other religions.
Saints Center for Culture and the Arts, 320 N Fremont St, Stuart, IA 50250, Phone: 515-205-6202
Schildberg Antique Car Collection
The Schildberg Antique Car Collection is a museum of antique cars in Greenfield, Iowa. This small, yet varied antique car collection comes from Dennis Schildberg, an auto restorer and collector from the local area who needed a place to house his extensive collection. Schildberg, along with his wife Marlene, began collecting cars during the early 1960’s and built a collection of more than fifteen antique vehicles.
The Schildberg Antique Car Collection exhibit is open to the public by appointment, as well as used in community events. Those visiting the collection should plan on spending around an hour at the museum.
Schildberg Antique Car Collection, 107 E Iowa St, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 515-327-9213
Sixteen Oaks Event Center
The Sixteen Oaks Event Center in Fontanelle, Iowa is an event venue boasting beautiful grounds and spacious architecture providing a climate-controlled space for events with as many as 400 people.
Situated on approximately forty acres of a family farm in Adair County, Sixteen Oaks offers all of the expected modern conveniences of an event venue, yet still retains its country atmosphere. A large portion of the farm’s original, century-old barn has been salvaged and recreated inside of the center’s new structure. The grounds offer plenty of photo opportunities as well, such as the natural, tree-covered amphitheater and the vineyard.
Sixteen Oaks Event Center, 1308 Main St, Fontanelle, IA 50846, Phone: 641-745-5087
Warren Cultural Center
Located in the Historic Greenfield Square, the Warren Cultural Center is a community destination for commerce, culture, and art. Stage shows presented at the center include both local talent and national touring acts., showcasing the performing arts and its diversity within an intimate, beautiful setting.
A visual arts display featuring artwork by professionals and students can be seen in the Lobby Gallery, while Ed & Eva’s offers original artwork from around 100 Iowa artists available for purchase. The Gallery is open during events and regular operating hours and is free to the general public. Spaces can also be rented for private events.
Warren Cultural Center, 154 Public Square, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 641-343-7337
The Original Freedom Rock
The Original Freedom Rock in Adair County, Iowa was established in 1999 and is a huge boulder weighing over sixty tons that’s repainted each year with a different “Thank You” to honor veterans in the United States and thank them for their service to the country. Inspired by the film “Saving Private Ryan,” artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II wanted to give a unique recognition to veterans on Memorial Day. Sorensen paints the iconic Freedom Rock every year on his own through the support of friends, family, and donations. The artist has also painted many murals throughout the country.
The Original Freedom Rock, 1199 IA-25, Menlo, IA 50164, Phone: 641-343-7110
Hotel Greenfield
Built back in the year 1919, the Hotel Greenfield first opened in the Greenfield community in 1920 and its lobby still looks much like it did more than one hundred years ago. The entrance, windows, pocket doors, staircase, brick, front desk, woodwork, and tile are all original features of the building.
The Hotel Greenfield is rich in history and has been used over the years for several historic events. Today, guests can stop by the HG Loungeseven days a week from 7:00am until 2:00am. The full-service lounge serves a variety of domestic and local beverages.
Hotel Greenfield, 110 E Iowa St, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 641-221-0034
