The One Small Town In Iowa With More Historic Buildings Than Any Other

Keosauqua, Iowa, is a historic town in Iowa with fewer than a thousand people. Located in Van Buren County, it's part of a network of villages with deep roots in Iowa's history. So why is Keosauqua one of the most historic places in Iowa? Simple: Many of its buildings have been preserved or restored and look amazingly similar to their original 19th-century form. You'll be able to explore several historic sites on a tour, stay in one of Iowa's oldest inns, and even visit the memorial for a forgotten war. This Iowa historic town is the perfect destination for an overnight - or weekend - trip. So, pack up the car, along with your love for Hawkeye State history, and let's hit the road.

Welcome to Keosauqua, one of Iowa's most southernmost towns - and one with a fascinating history dating back to early America.

With a population of only 936, it's not a surprise that the main street is leisurely. A tour of this town will bring one surprise after another.

The Van Buren County courthouse is the oldest courthouse in the state - and is still in continuous use since it was opened in 1843!

The Franklin Pearson House, built in 1847, was a key spot on the Underground Railroad and looks amazingly similar today to its original form.

The town's most famous site is probably the Hotel Manning, an 1890s hotel built in the popular Steamboat style of the time.

Today, the hotel has been completely remade into a modern inn - but that classic façade is intact.

While the inn has been renovated over the years, it still maintains that rustic 19th-century feel.

You'll definitely experience modern comfort in one of its spacious river-view rooms, though.

If you head down the road, you'll find two small stone markers memorializing the Honey War, one of Iowa's strangest historical events.

Due to a misreading of maps, a 9.5-mile strip of the Iowa-Missouri border became a source of conflict between the two states, with militias facing off until the US Supreme Court ruled in Iowa's favor - thankfully, before any blood was spilled.

Have you taken your own tour of Keosauqua? Let us know what you think of this Iowa historic town in the comments section. If you're planning a visit to the Manning Hotel, make sure to visit its website to book your stay. If you're looking to visit another historic village nearby, make sure to explore Bentonsport, as well.