Birthplace of first lady

By Amanda Morgan

Boone County was named for Capt. Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone. It features both rural and urban areas, and many different places to enjoy both warm weather and cold weather recreation.

The Iowa Arboretum, located in Madrid, consists of 378 acres in the heart of Boone County and contains hundreds of species of trees, shrubs and flowers in a tranquil, scenic setting.  Grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset, and guided tours are available by appointment.

Located in rural Madrid, Snus Hill is an Iowa winery and vineyard producing wines from American and French-American grapes.  Pastoral views of the Iowa landscape, expansive decks and tree-covered grounds add to the magic of the winery.

Ledges State Park is one of Iowa’s oldest parks. Dedicated in 1924, it’s best known for the sandstone bluffs that run from the upper portion of the park, down to the Des Moines River Valley. It spans more than 1,200 acres, and offers camping and picnicking facilities and hiking trails.

Mamie Doud Eisenhower’s birthplace, operated by the county historical society, is located in Boone and spotlights the birthplace of first lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower, wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States and five star general during World War II. It includes the completely restored Victorian home, a chronological exhibit, photos and mementos of Ike and Mamie’s life, and a library of Eisenhower-related references and local history.

Boone’s largest employers include Fareway Stores, Communications Data Services, and Woodward Academy.

Sources: http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=7178, http://booneiowa.homestead.com/tourism.html, http://www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/empstat/boone.pdf

Cities in Boone County

Beaver pop. 53
Berkley pop. 24
Boone pop. 12803
Boxholm pop. 215
Fraser pop. 137
Luther pop. 158
Madrid pop. 2418
Ogden pop. 2023
Pilot Mound pop. 214
Sheldahl pop. 336