This Charming Historic Town Is One of Iowa’s Best-Kept Secrets

If you love small historic towns in Iowa as much as I do, you've probably been to a few of the most famous. But did you know Iowa has nearly 950 small towns established from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s? Let me tell you about one you've likely never heard of, unless you grew up where I did: Oxford. This town of around 700 residents is home to some of Iowa's best underrated outdoor adventures. 

The History Behind the Charming Town of Oxford

Iowa is well known for being settled by European immigrants who came here in search of fertile agricultural lands. This area of Iowa, not far from the Amana Colonies, has a rich German heritage. If, however, the name Oxford makes you think this historic town in Iowa might have English ties, you'd be right. Oxford, Iowa, is thought to be named after Oxford, England, and was undoubtedly influenced by its European settlers from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. It was first settled in 1839, and its expansion came soon after with the arrival of the railroad. Many of the original buildings in the Oxford Commercial Historic District remain well-preserved. Typical of most historic towns in Iowa, they primarily feature brick facades with large display windows and ornate cornice work. Stopping to see them will only take a few minutes, but Oxford is a must-visit small historic town in Iowa. You'll have to pass through on your way from Interstate 80 to nearby F.W. Kent Park anyway. Don’t miss the Calyx Creek lavender farm and the Cessna air club, either. 

Embrace Scenic Outdoor Adventure at F. W. Kent Park

I have decades of memories going to Kent Park, as we locals call it. I’m certain my dad took me fishing here as a little one. As a teen, we used to shuttle here in carloads to spend afternoons at the beach. As a mama bear, I was drawn back to the prairie habitats, where I could still find wild monarch butterflies to show my own minis. It’s my tween son’s favorite spot in the state to cast a fishing line. Its sentimental value to me is an understatement. I’ve always thought it deserved state park status; it’s certainly one of the best county parks in Iowa. 

Get an Aerial Perspective of Iowa With Plane Rides in Oxford

A few years ago, my husband came across one of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had in Iowa—right here in Oxford. I shouldn’t be surprised, since his road trip expertise mirrors mine, but I was nothing short of flabbergasted when he told me we were going on a Cessna airplane ride over Kent Park, Lake MacBride, the Iowa River, and even the University of Iowa football stadium. For a very affordable price, on select dates, you can hop into a four-seat Cessna for a 30-minute aerial perspective of rural Iowa. It’s breathtaking and unforgettable. Takeoff happens at the Greencastle Aero Club, a site where pilots train to get their licenses. 

Visit the U-Pick Lavender Fields at Calyx Creek Farms

More recently, I got wind of another epic Iowa experience: fields of purple flowers near Oxford. Being from Iowa, I obviously love agritourism and any tourism opportunity that supports our local farms. Usually, that looks like corn mazes, apple orchards, and ice cream shops. I certainly never expected to have a posh, French-style experience like waltzing through a lavender field—but I did. Calyx Creek Lavender Farm is a 20-acre property in rural Oxford, with more than 5,000 lavender plants, tucked into neat, fragrant rows. It’s a U-pick farm that you can visit for free, or cut your own lavender. There’s also a farm store selling every imaginable lavender product. After our last visit, I brought home lavender cooking salt, a candle, and a baby plant to put in my own garden. The picking season typically runs from May through August, peaking in early July. The farm also holds numerous seasonal events and has Airbnb lodging overlooking the lavender fields. 

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