Wander Over To Washington County

Wander Over to Washington County

Experience spectacular sunsets and abundant attractions with an Iowa staycation

By Ann Foster Thelen

With a history as rich as the fertile soils, vast acres of cropland, and magnificent sunrises and sunsets that hug the rolling hills, Washington County offers a mecca of attractions.

Nestled in one of the most prosperous agricultural regions of Iowa and the Midwest, this county continues to blossom with a wholesome and energetic vibe.

Rooted in Agriculture

Glaciers are responsible for carving Washington County’s landscape into a series of drift plains, rolling hills and shallow landscapes.

Pioneers of the land were surrounded by prairie grasses and wildflowers, which are still visible across 2,100 protected acres. Stunning flowers, like Virginia Bluebells, Wild Bergamot and Yarrow dot the landscape and a buffet of beautiful milkweed varieties – spanning a rainbow of colors – provide a delightful haven for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

The communities of Ainsworth, Brighton, Coppock, Crawfordsville, Kalona, Riverside, Washington, Wellman and West Chester serve as destination anchors for visitors to Washington County. Agriculture – corn, soybeans, pigs, cattle, turkeys and sheep – remains the county's principal economic activity and is the thread uniting the region.

If you’re looking for a delightful staycation for a day or long weekend, explore all that this county of nearly 22,000 residents offers with this itinerary.

Explore the Outskirts

Starting on the western edge of the county between Keota and West Chester, take a step back in time with vintage chic nostalgia. Like a commercial beacon on the plains, you can't miss Hal Colliver’s acreage and sign extravaganza. The collection of antique signs continues to grow from year to year and is a must-stop photo spot for people passing by. The seed and gas company signs along with gas pumps totaling in the hundreds are a reminder of advertising from a bygone era. According to Colliver, he purchased the signs from every corner of the U.S. while working as a truck driver during a career that spanned decades.

The 14-mile Kewash Nature Trail was once a former railroad right of way and connects in the middle of West Chester. It’s the perfect spot for a seasonal stroll.

In Keota, visit Wooden Wheel Vineyards, a tasting room and event center, which operates on a 170-year-old farm. Mike and Connie Vincent purchased the farm from Mike’s father in 1978; however, the property has been in the Vincent Family since 1854. While the farm crisis in the 1980s took Mike and Connie away from the farm, they always wanted to return with a viable agricultural enterprise. In 2010, they sold their insurance agency in Altoona and returned to the farm, planting their first vines and beginning the construction of the winery and event center. Rich with stories of pioneer life, many of Wooden Wheel Vineyards’ wines are dedicated to the Vincent ancestors.

If you like pizza with friends, family, laughter and rustic Iowa charm, then Pizza on the Farm in Wellman is for you! Julia McNurlen hosts pizza-rich events on Friday evenings (May to September), and it is an opportunity for Iowans to connect with their farming roots. The home, which was her grandmother’s, has incredible views of the countryside. The pizza is made in a brick oven her husband built using reclaimed materials from the area. Parking is in a pasture dotted with cow pies, so visitors must watch their step, but that is part of the fun.

While in Wellman, also enjoy the nostalgia of roller skating on a historic wood floor at the town’s roller-skating rink.

At the county’s northern edge, Kalona is home to the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River. At the Kalona Historical Village, visitors learn about the local Amish settlement and discover the great respect the Amish have for family and their elders and the considerate way the Amish provide care for seniors. The scenic 1800s village also showcases pioneer life in 13 authentic buildings. Each structure was painstakingly restored and is filled with interesting and informative displays depicting the rugged years immigrant settlers spent taming the Iowa prairie.

Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli opened its doors in 2017. The building, formerly the Kalona Cheese Factory, was an iconic local establishment with roots dating back to the mid-1940s but closed in late 2014. The Kalona Creamery Shop & Deli, located on Highway 1, features numerous products made in Iowa, including cheese curds, specialty meats and cheeses, pastries and much more.

The Best of Iowa Bakery and Golden Delight Bakery offer locals and visitors gourmet cupcakes, artisan breads, cinnamon rolls, donuts, pies and other delightful desserts.

As you tour around the perimeter of Washington County, visit Riverside to see where the city has dubbed the future birthplace (March 22, 2228, for Trekkies!) of Captain James T. Kirk from the famed Star Trek series. Grab a home-cooked meal at the Four Corners Restaurant & Fuel Stop, operated by a local family for more than 60 years in Ainsworth.

Nature lovers will be enamored with Lake Darling State Park in Brighton. Named after J.N. “Ding” Darling, a champion of conservation and nationally renowned editorial cartoonist, the park provides opportunities for family picnics, lake recreation and woodland hikes. It also offers winter activities, including snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, and visitors are encouraged to cozy up in a year-round cabin for a weekend getaway. From its 302- acre lake to its wooded hills and valleys, Lake Darling State Park offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Barn Quilts Paint the Landscape

Amid the lush green landscapes, the horizons come alive with pops of primary and jewel-tone colors adorning barns. Celebrating the area’s agricultural roots, Washington County is known as the Barn Quilt Capital of Iowa.

A joint project between Iowa State University Extension of Washington County and the Washington Chamber of Commerce led to a tour featuring more than 110 barn quilts. Four “loops” – Amish, Nature, Ag and Liberty – encompass different sections of the county and feature the heritage of each loop.

A guided map with the addresses and quilt names is available from the Washington Chamber of Commerce.

A City and County with the Same Name

The hub of the county is a city with the same name. Recognized as a “Main Street Community,” Washington’s downtown square reflects an active Americana feel and features unique retail shops.

The iconic Centennial Fountain was constructed and dedicated in 1939 for the city’s Centennial Celebration.

It remains the only one of its type in the continental U.S. The fountain features a multicolored light show and provides the focal point of the city’s Central Park. Time a visit when the open-air bandstand is hosting a municipal band concert, which always draws a big crowd.

While enjoying the atmosphere of small-town America in Washington, visit the State Theatre, the world’s oldest continuously operating cinema theatre. Showing movies since 1897, it’s a must-see stop.

Several vintage homes and buildings in Washington are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the 1840 DAR log house in Sunset Park, the Blair House, Conger House Museum and F-troop Military Museum.

While walking around the historic downtown, look up at all the building facades, notice the doorknobs, walk into the courthouse and note the buildings across the street with mail slots in the doors. Walk down the alley and you will find two murals behind the library.

Before wrapping up the day, treat yourself to ice cream at the Korner Kreamery or an authentic Italian-inspired cuisine at Cafe Dodici. Before enjoying the main course at this popular restaurant, patrons are tempted by a variety of antipasti (appetizers), including goat cheese torta, bruschetta, mussels or an appealing selection of other mouth-watering dishes.

If you visit Washington County, be sure to take some pictures and tag @foodnfamilies when posting to social media.

Fuel your next Iowa road trip! Visitiowafoodandfamily.com/magazine/road-trip to win a $100 ethanol gift card.