Fremont County: Loess Hills, History, and Rodeo Tradition

Fremont County combines the landscape of the Loess Hills with an unusually diverse range of stories: historic homes, the Underground Railroad, the Lewis and Clark story, and a long-standing rodeo culture come together here with hiking trails and a wide-ranging scenic byway. If you are planning a trip with varied interests, you can choose your accommodation based on whether culture, nature, or events should be the main focus.

History in Museums and Historic Homes

A good starting point for cultural and historical discoveries is the Fremont County History & Iowa's Championship Rodeo Museum. The exhibits range from prehistory and the history of Indigenous peoples to businesses in Fremont County and military history. The museum also tells of Lewis and Clark's visit to Fremont County, the Orphan Train, the Underground Railroad, and the Civil War. This creates a broad picture of the region that goes far beyond a single historical topic.

The Todd House was built in 1853. It is known as one of four surviving Underground Railroad stations in Iowa, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and is included in the National Park Service's Network to Freedom as the Tabor Anti-Slavery District. The Ferrel House is an Italianate-style house dating from 1871 and was restored by the Fremont County Historical Society. It is open for special events or by appointment. The Sunnyside Country School, built in 1893, was moved to the Historical Society's museum complex for preservation and exhibition. Tours are available during special events at the museum, for school groups, or by appointment.

The Gathering Place also contributes to the area's historical diversity. Built in 1893, the building served as the home of the First Baptist Church of Sidney for 70 years. Today it serves as Fremont County's education and performing arts center; the Historical Society holds educational programs and performances there. When planning your trip, you can distinguish nature activities from visits to the Ferrel House and Sunnyside Country School: the Ferrel House is available during special events or by appointment, while the Sunnyside Country School is available during special events at the museum, for school groups, or by appointment.

Loess Hills, Trails, and Scenic Byways

Waubonsie State Park is part of the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail and offers views of the Loess Hills and the Nebraska plains. Hikers have eight miles of trails available exclusively to them. In addition, there are eight miles of multi-use trails for challenging hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. These separate trail options help you take planned activities into account when choosing your accommodation.

The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway includes a 220-mile paved main route and 185 miles of excursion loops. In Fremont County, the main route follows U.S. 275 through Tabor and then County Roads J18, J24, and L44. This makes it possible to discover the region as part of a longer road trip or through individual excursions along the route. Blackburn State Park complements the landscape with the wooded ridges and valleys of the Loess Hills, 72 acres of prairie in the Blackburn State Park Unit, and hiking trails through wooded areas. Another 20-acre restored prairie displays native flowers, especially in late spring.

For those interested in natural history, Green Hollow Wildlife Area provides habitat for numerous animals, including Plains Pocket Mouse, Western Worm Snake, Northern Prairie Skink, Least Shrew, Tri-colored Bat, and Red-shouldered Hawk. The butterfly species Hickory Hairstreak, Regal Fritillary, and Zabulon Skipper are also mentioned there. The area can be reached via a poorly maintained gravel road that runs through Thurman. This specific access route should therefore be included in your day's planning if Green Hollow is to be a destination on your trip.

Rodeo, Markets, and More Travel Ideas

The Sidney Iowa Championship Rodeo began in 1923. Sidney American Legion Post 128 turned it into an annual event; in 2015, the rodeo was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Tabor also continues to host the annual Farmers & Merchants Picnic, featuring food, entertainment, games, parades, a flea market, and a carnival. A farmers market is added there in summer. Anyone who wants to combine a trip with regional events can take these dates into account when choosing the travel period without losing sight of the area's natural and cultural offerings.

Other specific options round out the selection: Fremont County Golf Course is a 9-hole course measuring 3,205 yards from the back tees, with a par of 36. At Lake Virginia, you can fish for largemouth bass, bluegills, and catfish. Fremont County is also described as the only place in southwestern Iowa where pawpaws grow.

The Right Accommodation for Your Plans

When searching for a vacation apartment or vacation home, you can tailor your accommodation focus to your preferred daily rhythm. A stay built around a fixed event date involves different planning than a trip in which you select individual cultural or scenic experiences.

For other places within the regional overview, you can also explore Percival. Other destinations in the regional overview: Pottawattamie, Poweshiek County, Hardin County, Wapello, Hamilton County, Winnebago County, and Kossuth County.

To the overarching travel overview: Iowa.