Page Contents for Bentonsport, Iowa

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Chamber of Commerce.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Iowa state capital is Des Moines.
The population of Bentonsport is approximately 40 (2000).
The distance from Bentonsport to Washington DC is 823 miles.
The distance to the Iowa state capital is 110 miles. (as the crow flies)
Bentonsport is positioned 40.75 degrees north of the equator and 91.97 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Bentonsport median income is $ 23,844.
The Bentonsport median home price is $ 30,443.

Location

in southeastern Iowa on Scenic Byway J-40 between Bonaparte and Keosauqua, five miles from Highway 1. Nearby communities include Bonaparte, Vernon, Farmington and Keosauqua

Here s a location page for Bentonsport.
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Climate

seasonal. Residents experience all four seasons with snow in the winter and heat and humidity in the summer.
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History & History Related Items

Built up during the mid-1800's, Bentonsport was once a thriving port of call for Steamboats along the Des Moines River. It was platted in 1839. Many of the historic homes and buildings were built by Mormon craftsmen as they moved west to Salt Lake city after being forced out of Nauvoo, Illinois. As a major stop for both steamboats and railroad, Bentonsport grew and prospered reaching a high of about 1,000 residents. Gradually, the riverboats and railroad ceased to come into the area and the economy shifted its emphasis to other areas causing a downturn in both the population and the economy of Bentonsport.

Bentonsport was named for U.S. Sen. Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri

Bentonsport National Historic District
In order to preserve the historic elements left from the past, Bentonsport has been listed as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.

Here is a history page for Bentonsport.
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Attractions

If you are looking for a quiet get-away place, Bentonsport is for you!

In Bentonsport today you can shop in many specialty stores or watch the shopkeepers work at their craft. There are many places to eat or hike or canoe. An historic Bed and Breakfast from 1846 is restored and open for business. The Greef General Store features authentic antiques and homemade crafts. Come visit the Gems 4 Me Gem store, G&R Arts and Framimg shop. The Iron and Lace pottery and blacksmith shop features Queen Anne's Lace Pottery and Hand Forged Ironwork not available anywhere else in the world! Rest and enjoy the Rose Garden located inside the foundations of the old mill sites. Hike our Nature Trail along the north ridge of the valley. A must-see is Tony Sanders' Indian Artifact Museum located in a log cabin he built himself. Spend some time enjoying the river on the oldest and longest standing iron truss bridge across the Des Moines River.

Mason House Inn, built in 1846

Bentonsport Gardens

Tony Sanders' Indian Artifact Museum
An incredible collection of more than 4,000 Indian American artifacts housed in a log cabin.

Oldest and longest stand iron truss bridge across the Des Moines River. This page has a picture of the old bridge across the Des Moines River

Bentonsport Fine Arts Festival
held in October each year, it is Iowa's oldest arts festival
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Bentonsport Chamber

Keosauqua Chamber of Commerce

Bentonsport Organizations

Keosauqua Chamber of Commerce Bentonsport

Miscellany

The zip code of 52565 is shared with several other small towns surrounding Keosauqua. Bentonsport addresses have a Keosauqua mailing address.

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Bentonsport Cemetery surname index.

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Bentonsport is located in the Central Time zone.