Media Kit

  • WELCOME

    There are a lot of activities taking place in our region and we want to help point you in the right direction to “Find your Fort Madison”! We would be happy to assist you any way that we can. We can be reached at 319-372-5471.

    ABOUT FORT MADISON

    Sometimes it's just nice getting acquainted with the area. Get to know Southeast Iowa, check out our Upcoming Events page to learn more about Fort Madison.

    TOURISM STATISTICS

    In 2019, visitors spent $397.5 million in Black Hawk County, and that spending generated $65 million in payroll; employment for 2,960 people; and generated $20.8 million in state tax receipts and $5.4 million in local tax receipts. Source: U.S. Travel Association

    According to the Iowa Tourism Office's most recent Marketing Follow-up Survey (2022), 75% of travelers are here for leisure. Of those, 49% stay in a hotel or motel.

    Did you know tourism was a $6.4 billion dollar industry in Iowa in 2022?

    The average Iowa travel party (2.6 people) spends $401.31 daily. Source: 2022 Welcome Center Survey, IDED, Tourism Office

    PRESS RELEASES

    Iowa Tourism Outstanding Marketing Collaboration, Outstanding Community and Outstanding Lodging awards received April 21, 2022. Travel Iowa Awards

    Iowa Tourism Outstanding Rural Dining Experience was given to Harvestville Farm on March 22, 2023. Dining Award

    Iowa Tourism Outstanding Event was given to the 75th Annual Tri-State Rodeo & Outstanding Retail was given to Harvestville Farm at the 2024 Iowa Tourism Conferenc

    .FUN FORT MADISON FACTS

    Named for the first U.S. military outpost on the upper Mississippi River.

    Iowa’s only War of 1812 Battlefield

    Iowa State Penitentiary - the oldest territorial prison west of the Mississippi River.

    Great River Road, Iowa Historic Hills Byway and The Mormon Trail pass though Fort Madison.

    Home of the oldest Mexican community and Fiesta in Iowa established in 1921.

    Home of the Tri-State Rodeo established in 1948.

    Historic Santa Fe Depot and CB&Q Depot.

    60-80 trains pass through Fort Madison daily which makes our community a railfanning destination.

    Amtrak’s Southwest Chief stops daily in Fort Madison on it’s route from Chicago to Los Angeles.

    Fort Madison is located on the Mississippi River Flyway and sees Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons and other wading birds, Canadian Geese and the American Bald Eagle among others.

    McConn Historic Pennsylvania Dutch Barn

    The new Fort Madison Marina is the crown jewel on our riverfront, opening in the spring of 2024.

    Agritourism destinations including award winning dairy and pumpkin farms, the oldest apple orchard in Iowa and an elk & buffalo farm.

    Famous people with Fort Madison area connections: Chief Blackhawk, W.A. Sheaffer, Richard Proenneke, Gene Autry, Walt Disney, Ringling Brothers Circus, Ryan Bowen and William Elliott Whitmore.

    Fort Madison is one of two county seats in Lee County, which is the only situation like this in Iowa!