ABC’s of FM

A - Appleberry Orchard - Iowa’s Oldest working apple orchard dating back to 1840.

B - Fort Madison Toll Bridge aka Santa Fe Bridge - This double-decker bridge was the longest and largest double-deck swing-span bridge in the world when constructed in 1927.

C - “High C” - East end of Avenue C that has great views of Fort Madison and the river from the bluff.

D - Amtrak Depot - This depot opened in 1910 as a freight and passenger depot and now welcomes Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route twice daily.

E - Engine #2913 - Our Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (AT&SF) Steam Locomotive was built in 1944 and used to haul war equipment in the western region go the U.S. It now sits at the entrance of River View Park.

F - Mexican Fiesta - Iowa’s oldest Mexican community has hosted it’s Mexican Fiesta since 1921. Experience our vibrant Mexican culture with folklore dancing, live music and authentic cuisine.

G - Geode - Iowa’s state rock is found 20 miles south of us in Keokuk, IA.

H - Hillside Inn - The oldest bar in Fort Madison dates back 120 years and now serves beer, wine and prohibition style drinks.

I - Historic Iowa State Penitentiary - Built in 1839, Historic ISP is the oldest prison west of the Mississippi River. It remained open for 175 years until the new state of the art prison began in 2015.

J - County Road J40 - Travel from Fort Madison to West Point on J40 for kayaking, fishing, swimming and camping at Pollmiller Park. This is also the route to visit the West Point Sweet Corn Festival annually in August.

K - Kingsley Inn & Suites - Built in 1860, this building once housed Troy Laundry for 71 years until the Inn began in 1990.

L - Lee County Fair - Iowa’s oldest fair began in 1841 in nearby Donnellson.

M - Fort Madison Marina - New in 2024, our 177-slip facility includes a world-class hospitality center, restaurant, boating convenience store, and a reimagined riverfront park.

N - North Lee County Historical Society - Housed in the Fort Madison Depot District, the Main Museum & Gift Shop is located in the 2 story ATSF Division Freight Office and the Transportation Museum is located in the CB&Q Depot.

O - Old Fort Madison - The Old Fort was constructed in 1988 as a replica of the original Fort Madison that acted as a trading post from 1808-1813.

P - Park To Park District - This residential historic district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. The historic district is located to the north of the Downtown Commercial Historic District, generally between Central Park on the west and Old Settler's Park on the east.

Q - Quarry Creek Elk & Bison - One of a kind shopping experience for the whole family in a relaxing, lodge-style atmosphere. See the live Elk and Buffalo roaming the pastures and check out their large display of North American Mounts throughout the entire store!

R - Tri State Rodeo - The Tri State Rodeo has been named one of the nation's top five large outdoor rodeos and continues to rank first among the Great Lakes Circuit. Started in 1948, our rodeo continues to attract the nation’s top cowboys, with competition spread over four nights the first week in September.

S - Sheaffer Pen - Walter A. Sheaffer developed the first commercially successful lever-filling fountain pen in 1913 here in Fort Madison.

T - Trains - Fort Madison welcomes 60-80 trains daily, including 2 stops on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route from Chicago to Los Angeles, making it one of the busiest small town hubs in the country. With the installation of the Virtual Railfan Cam in 2020, the eyes of the world have watched our busy tracks and beautiful riverfront, making it Virtual Railfan’s #1 railfanning site in the country.

U - Under the Sun - Boutique gift shop offering unique treasures, Iowa wine and souvenirs, tea, gourmet food, chocolates and holiday decor all year long.

V - Victoria Bed & Breakfast - Experience the quiet elegance of the Victoria, nestled in Fort Madison’s Historic Park to Park District in European-styled comfort.

W - Willow Patch Access - Located at 1st Street and Avenue G, this area offers ample gravel parking and four launch ramps on the Mississippi River south of historic Iowa State Penitentiary and East of the Fort Madison Toll Bridge.

X - X23/West Point Road - Follow this Lee County Highway to Small Grand Things for special events & weddings, nestled in 55 acres of a Midwest Oak and Maple forest.

Y - Zen Soul Society Yoga - Offering a broad range of yoga classes and services that will help you feel excited about yoga and incorporating a variety of practices in movement, breath, and meditation.

Z - Z’s Boba Tea - Serving a variety of boba, tea, lemonade, breakfast, muffins and pretzels, in Historic Downtown Fort Madison .