Fort Madison
Around Fort Madison
Photo: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Iowa · 32k people
Fort Madison
“The Friendly City”, “The Gate City”
River town warmth on the Mississippi
Iowa Hawkeyes goldMississippi River blue
Welcome to Fort Madison, where the Mississippi River flows past the old fort and the town's history is always close by. Whether you're here for the rodeo, the fishing, or just to slow down, you'll find a friendly community along the river.
Clubs for Fort Madison
No clubs for Fort Madison yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Fort Madison. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fort Madison. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Old Fort Madison Reconstructed 1808 fort with living history demonstrations.
- Santa Fe Swing Bridge Historic railroad bridge across the Mississippi, a local icon.
- Keokuk Lock and Dam 19 One of the largest locks on the Mississippi, with a viewing area.
- Fort Madison River Museum Exhibits on river history, local industry, and the fort.
- Lee County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Fort Madison with a distinctive clock tower.
- Keosauqua Bridge Historic iron bridge over the Des Moines River, built in 1883.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Mississippi
- Outdoors Hiking at Shimek State Forest
- With kids Visit Old Fort Madison
- With kids Watch barges at the Keokuk Lock and Dam
- Evenings Catfish Bend Casino
- Evenings Small-town bars with live music
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Historic downtowns
Through the year
- Tri-State Rodeo September A major annual rode
- Lee County Fair July Classic county fair with livestock, carnival rides, and local food.
- Keokuk Bald Eagle Appreciation Days January Winter celebration of the bald eagles that gather near the lock and dam.
- Fort Madison Riverfest Summer Summer riverfront festival with music, food, and family activities.
- Keosauqua Watermelon Festival August Small-town festival celebrating the local watermelon harvest.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers hot and humid. Best times to be outside are late spring and early fall. Best: Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and fewer bugs.
Getaways
- Burlington Larger river city with historic architecture and shops.
- Quincy Historic Illinois city with antebellum homes and a lively downtown.
- Macomb College town with a vibrant square and Western Illinois University.
- Muscatine River city known for its pearl buttons and parks.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich Iowa staple, often breaded and fried
- Fried catfish Fresh from the Mississippi
- Loose meat sandwich (Maid-Rite style) Iowa chain, popular regionally
- Sweet corn Summer favorite from local farms
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Along the Mississippi
- Historic downtowns In Fort Madison and Keokuk
- Locks and dams Lock and Dam 19 near Keokuk
- Small-town diners Classic Midwest eateries
- Antique shops Scattered through the region
Heritage and traditions
The region is proud of its Mississippi River heritage, historic forts, and small-town Iowa charm, where the river shapes daily life and history runs deep.
This time of year in Fort Madison
- Fall foliage hikes at Shimek Fall October colors draw families to the forest
Say it like a local: “supper” — The evening meal
Landmarks with a story
- St. Mary's Catholic Church (West Point) Historic parish with deep German and Czech roots
- Keokuk National Cemetery Civil War-era national cemetery with graves of Union soldiers
- Montrose's Mormon Trail Key crossing point for Mormon pioneers heading west in the 1840s
- Keokuk's Grand Theatre Restored vaudeville-era theater now hosting community events
- Fort Madison's Old Santa Fe Depot Historic railroad depot reflecting the city's role as a river-rail hub
Food traditions
- Kolache breakfasts Czech pastries filled with fruit or sausage, reflecting West Point's Czech heritage
- Sausage and sauerkraut dinners German community potlucks, especially in West Point and Fort Madison
- Lenten fish fries Catholic parishes host Friday fish fries during Lent
- Church supper fried chicken Small-town churches serve fried chicken dinners as fundraisers
Music and arts
- Polka music and Czech folk dances West Point's Czech heritage keeps polka alive at community gatherings
- Community theater Productions at venues like Keokuk's Grand Theatre
- Small-town bands Summer concerts in parks and at the riverfront
A little history
- 1808 Fort Madison founded as a US Army fort
- 1846 Mormon pioneers crossed the Mississippi at Montrose
- 1860s Keokuk served as a Civil War supply depot
- 1913 Keokuk Lock and Dam 19 completed
- 1927 Santa Fe Swing Bridge opened
Rivalries
- Fort Madison vs Keokuk Long-standing high school sports rivalry between the two river towns.
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones Statewide college football rivalry that fans debate endlessly.
- St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs Baseball loyalties split between the two MLB teams.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day High school basketball
- Outdoors Ice skating on the river
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing at Shimek State Forest
- With kids Visit the Keokuk Public Library
- With kids Play at the splash pad in Rand Park
Residents speak with a typical Midwestern accent, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words and using German or Czech loanwords from the area's heritage. Speech is friendly and unhurried, with a touch of river-town flavor.
Only here
- The Santa Fe Swing Bridge is one of the longest swing bridges in the world.
- Keokuk Lock and Dam 19 has the highest lift on the Mississippi River.
- Fort Madison is the oldest city in Iowa.
- Montrose was a key crossing point for Mormon pioneers.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Keokuk' as 'KEE-oh-kuk' – locals will appreciate it.
- Be ready for morning river fog, especially near the Mississippi.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich – it's a local staple.
- Attend the Tri-State Rodeo at least once.
- Drive across the Santa Fe Swing Bridge for a scenic river view.
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Part of Burlington area
Nearby
Every areaBurlingtonIowaRiver town warmth with a crooked-street charm.Mount PleasantIowaSmall-town heart, big Iowa sky.MacombIllinoisPrairie warmth, Leatherneck pride.MonmouthIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the riverFairfieldIowaWhere golden domes meet endless cornfields.QuincyIllinoisWhere the Mississippi bends and history lingers.GalesburgIllinoisA prairie town with a big railroad heart.MuscatineIowaWhere the river meets the melon patch.
Fort Madison, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.