Villages of Van Buren County History Scavenger Hunt

Explore the Villages of Van Buren County and complete this fun scavenger hunt to learn about our unique history! 

Complete the scavenger hunt at your own pace, correctly answer 14 of the 15 questions, and you will be entered in a drawing. Local glass artist Tim Blair of Bloom and Bark Glass Blowing Studio and Bentonsport potter April Ziegler of Iron & Lace each have designed a unique work of art to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday that will be given in a drawing to two successful scavenger hunters!

This activity is sponsored by 

• First Iowa State Bank,
• Libertyville Savings Bank 
• Wells Hometown Drug 

This activity is brought to you by the Van Buren County Historic Preservation Commission.

There are several ways to submit your entry. You can email a photo or a scan of your answer sheet to [email protected]. Or you can drop it off at the Villages Welcome Center at 809 1st Street in Keosauqua.

Entries must be received by October 31, 2026 at 11:59pm to be eligible for the drawings.
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Bentonsport

Bentonsport originally had four churches. One of them, the Presbyterian Church, shown here, was constructed in 1855 and is in the Gothic Revival style of architecture.
*Today, how many churches still stand in Bentonsport?

Birmingham

The local American Legion Post built this log cabin in Birmingham’s city park in 1923. Community members, including veterans of World War I, donated materials and labor for its construction.
*The front door of the log cabin has an unusual door knocker. What does the inscription on the door knocker say?

Bonaparte

The Auntie Green Hotel (1847) opened just a few years after Bonaparte was platted. The one-and-a-half-story building at the rear may have been the residence of John and Mary Green, who operated the hotel.
*This building was donated to the Historical Society by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Cummings in what year?
Hint: This date is on the building.

Cantril

This hall was built in 1902 in a rural part of Des Moines Township and was used as a polling place. It has been moved twice in its history—once in 1991 and a second time in 2006.
*Displayed at the front of the building is a bell from the Cantril School.
What dates are on the bell?

Farmington

When it was established in the mid-1800s, the First Congregational Church stood as a cornerstone of faith and community in Farmington. The congregation was known for its support of abolition. Today, the building is operated as the Pioneer Museum, where the church and its artifacts continue to tell the story of the county’s early days.
The stone outside the Pioneer Museum has the names of two school board members.
*What are these two names?
Hint: Taking a photo with your cellphone camera makes the lettering more legible.

Douds-Leando

Fraternal organizations were important to a community’s social life and welfare. Examples are the Knights of Pythias, Masons, Knights of Columbus, and Odd Fellows that emerged in Iowa in the 1800s.
*This building in Douds was constructed by which fraternal organization?
Hint: the stone at the top of the building has the organization’s full name.

Keosauqua

Standing proudly since 1840, this courthouse is the oldest in Iowa and one of the oldest continuously used courthouses west of the Mississippi River. It has witnessed generations of history, from early county decisions to modern-day governance, and remains a symbol of the county’s enduring spirit.
*What happened at the courthouse in 1977?
Hint: it is on a plaque by the doors.

Lebanon
Lebanon, shown in the lower left-hand corner of this map, is at the crossroads of J40 and V64. A modular house constructed of fiberglass in an unusual shape was built here n 1972.
*What is the shape of this house and its house number?
Hint: the house number is on the blue 911 sign at the end of the driveway. This house is visible from the public right-of-way. Please respect the privacy of this private property owner.

Mt.Sterling

The congregation that constructed the United Methodist Church traces its beginnings to the 1830s, when early settlers gathered for worship in homes. In 1870, Methodists and Presbyterians joined together to build a shared church, reflecting a strong sense of community. After the original structure was lost in a fire, a new church in the Gothic Revival style was built in 1903. Unfortunately, the building has deteriorated and is no longer in use.
*The historic church bell has been moved to Harness Cemetery, where it continues to honor the legacy of the congregation. Can you still ring the bell today?

Pittsburg

The cemetery near Pittsburg is the final resting place of Voltaire Twombly, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor during the battle of Fort Donelson in 1862. Twombly was one of the first Iowans to receive this award. After the Civil War, he returned to Van Buren County and served as county treasurer and mayor of Keosauqua. From 1885 to 1891, he was the state treasurer.
*Look for his gravestone, one of the tallest in the cemetery. How many other family members’ names are also inscribed on the stone?

Selma/Iowaville

This log cabin is believed to date to c. 1846 and was originally located seven miles east of Selma. It was moved to its current location in 1969 as part of a preservation project and now sits in a park in the center of Selma.
*Selma wasn’t the original name of this town. What was Selma’s original name?
Hint: it is on a sign near the cabin.

Stockport

Once a bustling route along the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, the Peavine Line played a vital role in connecting small towns to the rest of the country. Today, the depot museum preserves Stockport’s history and railroad legacy, showcasing how trains brought goods, people, and economic opportunity to southeast Iowa.
*The museum recently acquired a caboose for its collection. What are the numbers on the caboose?

Milton

The Presbyterian congregation built what is now known as Heritage Church c. 1900. This brick building was used by Presbyterians until 1940
and in 1950 was purchased by the Church of Nazarene. The Heritage Society bought it in 1974 and now operates the building as a local history museum.
*Notice the bell tower with its decorative brickwork. How many crosses decorate the bell tower?

Vernon

The iron wagon bridge over the Des Moines River opened in 1887 linking Bentonsport and Vernon previously connected only by a ferry. The Bentonsport bridge is a type known as a pin-connected Pratt Through Truss, named after the inventors Thomas and Caleb Pratt. Its structural system is based on horizontal, vertical, and diagonal members. While the bridge is currently partially closed, it is scheduled to be repaired and reopened in 2027.
*There is a sign at each end of the bridge. What does the sign on the Vernon side say?

Your answer sheet
Please write clearly!

Bentonsport: How many churches still stand in Bentonsport today?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Birmingham: What does the inscription on the door knocker on the log cabin say?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bonaparte: What year did Mr. and Mrs. Cummings donate the Auntie Green Hotel?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cantril: What are the dates on the bell in front of the former Des Moines Township Hall?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Douds-Leando: What fraternal organization constructed the building in Douds?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Farmington: What are the names of school board members on the stone in front of the Pioneer Museum?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Keosauqua: What happened in 1977 at the courthouse?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lebanon: What is the unusual shape of the house in Lebanon?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Milton: How many crosses decorate the tower of the Heritage Church?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mt. Sterling: Can you ring the bell today?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pittsburg: How many family names are inscribed on Voltaire Twombly’s gravestone?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Selma: What was Selma’s original name?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Stockport: What is the number on the caboose next to the depot?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vernon: What does the sign hanging from the old iron bridge on the Vernon side say?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bonus question: Who is Van Buren County named after?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Your name:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone number:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email address:______________________________________________________________________________________________________

When you are done, there are several ways to submit your entry. You can email a photo or a scan of your answer sheet to [email protected]. Or you can drop it off at the Villages Welcome Center at 809 1st Street in Keosauqua. After hours, drop it through the mail slot on the side of the building marked Folk School.

Entries must be received by October 31, 2026 at 11:59pm to be eligible for the drawings. Winners will be contacted in the first week of November.

Have fun exploring Van Buren County!