serving the public for over 100 years. It is admired for its unique post-Civil War architectural style called “General 99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one Grant Gothic”. The courtroom features the original seats and bench which is still used today. down, drive on around, 73 counties to tour on the bike. A few years back, a summer riding goal was to ride through Another example of buildings of days long gone is the each one of the counties of Iowa, and what was found was a wealth of interest and beauty. Each month we will revisit Trimble-Parker Historic Farmstead District. This is a historic farm located in Davis County, Iowa, United each county as a featured article. We will tell you about new things to see, places to ride, and give you a little spark States near the county seat of Bloomfield. The wellpreserved farm buildings exemplify an early 20th century of touring curiosity for our state of Iowa. stock farm in Iowa. The various stock buildings were built between 1901 and 1952. They housed a variety of stock Davis County types. The barn, which is a local landmark, was designed by Joseph E. Wing who was well-known for his innovative designs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Davis County is located along the Missouri/Iowa boarder farmstead was listed on the National Register of Historic tucked in the southeastern corner of our fair state. It lies as the third county west of the eastern Iowa border. Davis Places in 2003. County is intersected by Highways 2 and 63. It is a rural Mars Hill Church lies off the beaten path seven miles Iowa county with short of 9000 residents, and only four southeast of Ottumwa on a forested ridge near the Des incorporated towns. The County seat is Bloomfield. Moines River. 153 years ago when the old log church was built in 1856, it was on one of the main thoroughfares Like many of the southern tier counties in Iowa, Davis through south central Iowa. That gravel road that passes in County offers great sport hunting year round with a wide front of Mars Hill Church is today the dividing line between variety of game. The main attraction to hunting in Davis Wapello and Davis Counties. Local tradition has it that County is the whitetail deer. Just about any part in Davis County is good for bow hunting with its richness of wooded the Mars Hill Church was used as a hiding place during areas and fields. The deer are plentiful and trophy racks are the Civil War as part of the Underground Railroad. Mars Hill Church preservation is locally significant because it is not uncommon, but make sure you keep your eyes on the one of Iowa’s few remaining hand-hewn log structures that path. authentically represent the early pioneer beginnings of Iowa Another thing unique to this area of the state is that it is an State history. Amish settlement area. There are almost 60 different Amish run businesses in the area that produce many different items Davis county is a rural diamond, that has many beautiful sights highlighting the heart and soul of Iowa. History, that are quite popular these days. Worth the trip to see architecture, wildlife, and artisanal some pristine views of rural Iowa, and check out many of businesses make it worth the ride. the shops to purchase hand made goods. Keep an eye out for the slow moving vehicle signs on the backs of carriages Ride Safe! though. References available upon request Some of the older and more interesting late 1800, early 1900 era architecture calls Davis County home. Many of the historic and gorgeous buildings have been kept up and utilized to this day. Maybe not as originally intended, but they have been maintained with original beauty. The county courthouse is one such stellar example of architecture worth the ride to see. The Second Empire structure was completed in 1877. This building, which is still used as the courthouse, is typical Victorian architecture with wrought iron trim and a belfry. The Goddess of Justice proudly adorns the top of the belfry. The four-sided clock is readily noticeable to anyone entering Bloomfield. The courthouse is striking in appearance and full of personality, even after
99 Counties on the Wall
14 - TRMI JULY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com