Cass County: Lakes, Nature, and History

Lake Anita, wooded trails, and distinctive reminders of regional history give Cass County several different highlights. You can plan your stay around what interests you most: fishing and boating, nature trails, or architectural and cultural history. These themes can also help with your search for a vacation rental: Consider which places you want to shape your stay, and focus your search accordingly.

Water, Woods, and Trails

Lake Anita State Park covers 1,062 acres. At its center is Lake Anita, a 423-acre artificial lake that offers opportunities for fishing and boating. There are fishing jetties along the shore, and two boat ramps are available for anglers with boats. This creates a clear distinction within the water-focused options: You can fish from shore or include boating activities in your plans.

Troublesome Creek Wildlife Area covers 100 acres, is densely wooded, and is crossed by Troublesome Creek. Here, the focus is on woods and river rather than the open water at Lake Anita. The trails also offer different points of reference: The T-Bone Trail runs through farmland and woods in the Nishnabotna River Valley and ends at Dunbar Road, five miles northeast of Atlantic.

At the northern edge of Cold Springs Park, a quiet, 1.5-mile woodland trail leads to the East Nishnabotna River and a notable limestone outcrop. Access to the river varies with water conditions. When planning this route, therefore, consider both its stated length and river destination, as well as the current water conditions. These specific details distinguish this trail from the T-Bone Trail, for which the landscape and endpoint are described.

History in Buildings, Murals, and Places

The Cass County Historical Museum is located in the former Griswold National Bank building. The building was completed in 1885 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The artifacts on display come from Anita, Atlantic, Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis, Marne, and Massena. The museum thus connects the history of several Cass County communities with that of a single historic bank building.

In Atlantic, the Rock Island Railroad Depot was built in 1898 in the Renaissance style for the Rock Island Railroad Line. It was fully restored in 2002 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its construction date, architectural style, and restoration offer different ways to appreciate the depot as a reminder of railroad history. The Telegraph Building Murals add art to these architectural landmarks, including a two-story mural by Jenna Brownlee and the mural “It's Good to be Here” by Bree Daggett.

East Park also features a striking visual landmark. There stands a 15,000-pound boulder created by Iowa artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen. Its subjects include the Hitchcock House, Maj. Belle Reynolds, and Cass County's 23rd Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, Company 1, Calvary Unit. The boulder thus brings public art together with people and themes from the county's history.

The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House is associated with the abolitionist reform movement and the network that became known as the Underground Railroad. Guided tours are scheduled Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May 1 through September 15; confirm tour availability before your visit. Free parking is available in front of the Granary Gift Shop at the house. Cold Springs State Park is a historic site on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. The Nishnabotna Ferry House in Cold Springs has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2001.

Choose a Focus for Your Trip

If you are looking for a vacation rental, the kind of outings you want can be a helpful guide. Lake Anita offers fishing and boating, the nature trails offer varied landscapes and specific trail details, and the cultural sites offer architectural history, murals, and historical connections. If your travel group has a mix of interests, these contrasts can help you decide what kind of trip to plan. Then compare the locations of vacation rentals you are considering with the places you actually want to visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Emmet County, Woodbury, Fremont County, Henry County, Des Moines County, Clay County, Kossuth County.

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