Adair County, Iowa

1. Jesse James Historical Site

The Jesse James Historical Site in Adair County is the site of the first train robbery in the American West. This area has had passing trains since the railroad’s earliest day. In July of 183, the infamous outlaw Jesse James found out about a massive shipment of gold passing through Iowa. The train’s cargo was worth a total of $75,000, which was quite a sum during that time. Jesse James and his gang scouted the area and planned their historic train heist. Unfortunately, for them, the gold was delayed, but they still made off with over $3,000.

Jesse James Historical Site, 1469 State Hwy 925, Adair, IA 50002

2. Adair County Fair

Located in the city of Greenfield, the Adair County Fair takes place every year, beginning on the third Wednesday of July, and is one of the main events year for the area. In addition to a number of live music performances, the county fair also hosts a variety of other events and attractions, such as a rodeo, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, and a lumberjack show among others. The Adair County Fair also features several FFA and 4-H events, youth activities, and fair vendors throughout the multi-day fair. Camping is also allowed at the county fair in designated areas.

Adair County Fair, 900 NE Elm St, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 641-743-2856

3. The Ken Sidey Nature Area

Situated around 2.5 miles outside of Greenfield, The Ken Sidey Nature Area is more than one hundred acres of timberland and offers three miles of trails. The area is the site where Kenneth H. Sidey, who wrote columns for the Adair County Free Press newspaper in the 1930’s and 1940’s called “Nature Notes,” used to hike and gather information for his writings. The Ken Sidey Nature Area is actually part of a larger four-park complex in Adair County, which also consists of Lake Greenfield, Land between Two Lakes, and Nodaway Lake. The entire complex provides ten miles of trails for hiking.

The Ken Sidey Nature Area, 2521 Lewis Ave, Greenfield, IA 50849

4. Middle River Forest Area - Adair County

The Middle River Forest Area - Adair County in Iowa is a 38-acre park with access to the Middle River, walk-in primitive tent campsites, and a hiking trail. Located in Dexter, the forest area acts as a trailhead for the Middle River Water Trail, which offers opportunities for several recreational activities, such as wildlife viewing, canoeing, hiking, and fishing. There is also a canoe access ramp. The major fish species found in the Middle River Forest Area are carp and channel catfish, however, other fish like walleye, bullhead, and flathead catfish can be found in the area as well.

Middle River Forest Area - Adair County, 3234 200th Street, Dexter, IA 50070

5. Lake Orient Recreation Area - Adair County

Home to the 24-acre Lake Orient, the Lake Orient Recreation Area - Adair County offers outdoor recreation for all ages and features a walking trail, a playground, shelter houses, modern restrooms and shower house, campsites with water and electrical hookups, and fishing opportunities. A marker can be found in the area commemorating Henry A. Wallace, who was born nearby and served as United States Secretary of Agriculture, United States Secretary of Commerce, and United States Vice President. While the park is open year-round, electric and water service at the campground, as well as the restroom/shower house facility, is only open May to September.

Lake Orient Recreation Area - Adair County, Orient, IA 50858

6. Bridgewater Farm, Adair County, Iowa

A certified organic, small family farm, the Bridgewater Farm offers a variety of organic fresh produce, meats, and aggs in the town of Bridgewater, Iowa. The mission of the farm is to provide the local community and surrounding area with a local, sustainable food source and Bridgewater Farm takes pride in being able to offer multiple food options to people every year. Among the numerous types of produce available at the farm, crops include peppers, peas, pumpkins, onions, potatoes, leeks, kale, herbs, corn, grapes, garlic, greens, cucumbers, cauliflower, carrots, cantaloupe, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries, blackberries, broccoli, beets, beans, asparagus, and apples.

Bridgewater Farm, 2409 Brown Ave, Bridgewater, IA 50837, Phone: 641-745-5368

7. Greenfield Public Square Historic District

The Greenfield Public Square Historic District of Greenfield, Iowa is an area of Adair County with local Criterion A significance. 43 of 45 resources within this historic district are directly related to commercial development from the year 1856 to 1869, starting with the town’s platting in 1856 with the Lancaster square and ending with the picturesque square being selected as a film location for “Cold Turkey” in 1969. These historic buildings housed the amenities, services, and goods that were vital to the growing community of Greenfield. The Adair County Courthouse is the Public Square’s centerpiece, encircled by commercial buildings.

Greenfield Public Square Historic District, Public Square, Greenfield, IA, Phone: 641-743-8444

8. Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center

The Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center in Orient, Iowa is the birthplace farm of Henry A. Wallace and offers self-guided tours seven days of week. Born in 1888, Wallace served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Vice President, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce. In 1999, he was named as the “Most Influential Iowan of the 20th Century” by The Des Moines Register. Visitors can explore forty acres of the Wallace farm, produce and orchard gardens, the sculpture walking path, a pond and restored Iowa prairie, the Gathering Barn, and the Restored Farmhouse featuring a gift shop.

Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center, 2773 290th Street, Orient, IA, Phone: 641-337-5019

9. Iowa Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame

Housed at the Greenfield Municipal Airport, the Iowa Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame is a facility dedicated to preserving the aviation heritage of Iowa. Started in 1990, before the museum was opened, the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame was established to honor Iowa native who have significantly contributed to aviation’s growth and the museum features a tribute for each of the inductees.

There are nearly a dozen civil aircrafts on display at the museum, including a few rare examples of earlier flying machines from the 1920’s through the 1940’s, such as the 1941 de Havilland Tiger Moth.

Iowa Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame, 2251 Airport Rd, Greenfield, IA 50849, Phone: 641-343-7184