Buchanan County History: Fontana Mill

Event Summary

Come one, come all to this summer exploration experience!  We will be touring historic places of Buchanan County.  Do you know the history of Buchanan County? Age of participants and fees will depend on activity. Pre-registration is required, email naturalist@iowatelecom.net or call 319-636-2617.

Fontana has been a dam and mill site for more than 140 years. The first dam was build on Otter Creek, in what is now Fontana Park, in 1849 by Ike Richmond. The dam provided water power for a sawmill, and was later used to power a gristmill. Frequent wash-outs during the 19th century let to several dam modifications.   The present concrete dam was completed by Adam Kiefer, who owned the mill for the middle 1890's until 1912. Kiefer's son and a friend, Marty Coy, named the area "Fontania Park." Then "Fontana" spelling later caught on and Fontana Park has since been known as a popular recreation area.   The Buchanan County Conservation Board acquired Fontana Park in 1959, and a large shelter house was built on the old mill foundation. The mill stones are on display near the shelter house along with information about how the mill once operated. The display helps relate to visitors the importance of the area's natural resources to settlement in Northeast Iowa.

June 16 Wapsie Mill Museum- A donation of $3/person would be appreciated for the mill
June 30 Mental Health Institution- No Cost. Participants must be older then 16 years old
July 14 REGISTRATION LIMITED Cedar Rock House by Frank Lloyd Wright Cost $5/person
July 28 Richardson-Jakway Historic Site is located at Jakway Park- no cost, all ages welcomed
August 11 Fontana Mill located at Fontana Park, Hazleton, IA -no cost, all ages welcomed

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Programs