Wapsipinicon State Park

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, Wapsipinicon State Park is primarily significant for its stone bridges, park lodges, loop road, and shelters that were built in the 1920s by prisoners from the Anamosa State Penitentiary. The park is located on the southern side of the Wapsipinicon River and features limestone bluffs, pine forests, creek beds, caves, campgrounds, a golf course, and playgrounds. Archaeological sites containing Native American remains and artifacts dating to prehistoric times are also located in the park. The historic Hale Bridge was moved to the park in 2006.

Wapsipinicon State Park was established in 1921 when local residents bought a 180-acre forested area from a horse breeder who offered to sell it to Anamosa State Penitentiary. The group then donated the land to the state, which proceeded to buy additional first parcels of land that year. Prison crews then began building the park's buildings, bridges and roads. The work included blasting away limestone rock at several locations in the park to make way for the roads. The crews finished the work five years later and continued to maintain the park. Prisoners put on concerts for park guests on Sundays afternoons and holidays up until World War II. Over time the park grew to its current size of 400 acres, with the most recent acquisition coming in 2005.

One of the caves in the park, Horse Shoe Cave, is a popular attraction for visitors. It is 30 feet wide and 100 feet long and located along Dutch Creek. While it extends deep into the rock, fallen rocks prevent people from exploring most of the cave. According to local history, horse thieves used it (and other nearby caves) as a hideout during the second half of the 19th century. In 1922, workers found five human skeletons (most of whom were children), pottery chards, animal bones, bone tools, arrowheads, spearheads, flint chips, buffalo teeth, and a mastodon tusk. The skeletons were dated to 4,000 years ago. Unfortunately, most of the items found were apparently stolen after the excavation was completed. Those that are not missing are housed at the University of Iowa. Where the mastodon tusk and human remains are is unknown.

Anderson, Raymond R. (ed.) et al. "The Natural History of Wapsipinicon State Park, Jones County, Iowa." Geological Society of Iowa. October 10, 2009. https://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/igs/publications/uploads/GSI-085.pdf.

DeWitte, Dave. "National Historic District designation sought for entire state park." The Gazette. December 23, 2012. https://www.thegazette.com/article/national-historic-district-designation-sought-for-entire-state-park.

Kollasch, Samantha. "Wapsipinicon State Park seeks National Register designation. May 14, 2014. https://corridorbusiness.com/wapsipinicon-state-park-seeks-national-historic-register-designation.

"Wapsipinicon State Park." Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Accessed December 9, 2021. https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/Wapsipinicon-State-Park.