Last updated: March 11, 2022
Place
Bonaparte Riverfront Park
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Riverfront Park, Bonaparte, Iowa 52620
Significance:
Bonaparte was an already existing village in 1846 when the Vanguard Company of Mormon Pioneers was traveling through the area on their journey to Utah. They stopped to buy supplies, have their flour and other food items grounded by the village's mill, and to rest for several days.
Designation:
National Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
4 listed
Benches/Seating, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto
Emigrants who crossed the Des Moines River here in 1846, at the village of Bonaparte. The mill is now part of the Bonaparte Historic Riverfront District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours of the district are available.
Bonaparte, Iowa was an established village when the Mormon pioneers departed Nauvoo in 1846. The emigrants visited the village, which required fording the Des Moines River. The wrote about Bonaparte in their journals, taking note of the "splendid Mill," a hotel, and several other buildings. Unfortunately, in 1886 a devastating fire along the north side of First Street burned down many of the Bonaparte's original buildings. Afterwards, the village rebuilt many of these buildings. But there are still a few "survivor" buildings. One is the the Farmers & Traders Bank building. Located on the south side of Main Street, it was far enough away from First Street to survive the fire. Constructed in the late 1840s, this building was standing when the Mormon pioneers visited the village. Several of the 1886 rebuilt buildings still remain as well. All together, they comprise the Bonaparte Historic Riverfront District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Site Information
Location (Riverfront Park, Bonaparte, Iowa 52620)
Available Facilities
Historic buildings, intpretive exhibits, benches/seating.
Safety Considerations