Discover Henry County: Lake, Museums and History

Henry County combines nature experiences with a diverse cultural and regional history. Lake Geode forms the centerpiece of Geode State Park and covers more than 150 acres. This makes the lake a clear starting point for anyone who wants to combine scenery, outdoor activity, and historical discoveries on their trip.

Lake and Trails for Different Day Plans

At Geode State Park, a trail leads from the dam on the west side of Lake Geode to a loop around the lake. You can therefore plan the park as a destination for a day focused on the surrounding area, without inferring any specific walking time or level of difficulty. Those who want to alternate between nature and culture will find other distinct themes for planning their trip in Henry County.

A special landscape and historical feature is the Oakland Mills Bridge. It spans the Skunk River south of Oakland Mills in Oakland Mills State Park, which lies in the western part of Henry County. The bridge illustrates how closely the landscape and regional architectural history are connected at this location.

Explore Museums and Historic Sites

The HCHT Museum is open on Saturday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. from May through October. This fixed schedule can be easily incorporated into travel planning. At the Lewelling Quaker Museum, docents explain historical events and describe historic artifacts at each stop on the tour. For visitors who want to learn about history not only through buildings but also through explanations and objects, this provides a different experience from touring a park.

At Museum A of the Richard E. Oetken Heritage Museums, you can see steam locomotives, tractors, and the Bussey Doll Collection. The Richard E. Oetken Heritage Museums also include a 1915 farmhouse with period artifacts. The Henry County Heritage Center is located in the former Saunders Elementary School building and adds another historic site to this selection.

The Harlan-Lincoln House also offers an introduction to the region's history: It was built in 1876 by U.S. Senator James Harlan. Mary Harlan married Robert, Abraham Lincoln's son. The Iowa Insane Hospital was a state psychiatric hospital and represents a period when humane care and treatment for people with mental illness were making progress. Also listed as historic sites, the Harlan House Hotel in Mount Pleasant, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1987, and McClellan's General Store in New London, which has been on the register since 2003, are noteworthy stops.

Events and Local Insights

The Midwest Old Threshers Reunion offers 2,000 exhibits and attractions. Every day at noon, visitors gather at the Grandstand to watch the Cavalcade of Power pass by in a presentation of the history of technology. The Henry County Fair offers 4-H and FFA members as well as county residents an educational and entertaining display of their achievements.

For an insight into local food supplies, there are two specific market locations: the Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market takes place at the Wright Pavilion in McMillan Park, while the Salem Farmers Market is held on the west side of Salem City Park.

The Right Accommodation Idea for Your Trip

Henry County can therefore be explored in different ways. If you make Lake Geode and the trails at Geode State Park the focus, plan a nature-oriented stay. If you are more interested in museums, historic buildings, and the history of technology, the collections and sites mentioned above can form the focus of your trip. Events and farmers markets add regional impressions to these travel ideas.

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Henry County, you should therefore first decide what kind of daily itinerary suits your travel group. Then compare the location of each option with your own priorities.

Discover More Destinations

For further searches, you can also visit Mount Pleasant. Other destinations to compare include Iowa County, O'brien County, Jackson, Clarke County, Guthrie, Jefferson County, and Lyon County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Iowa.