Last updated: May 11, 2024
Place
Drakesville, Iowa
Photo/Drakesville Betterment Committee
Quick Facts
Location:
102 Main St, Drakesville, IA 52552
Significance:
Use of the Mormon Pioneer Trail near Drakesville began immediately after the vanguard, Brigham Young led companies.
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
3 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion
Thursday morning had an addition of a calf to our stock which hindered us through the day. Friday morning started on, carried the calf a greater part of the day, Friday night stoped on the prairie near a well, got mired in a mud hole just this side of the well. unloaded part of our things. Saturday came on through Drakesville lost our way, went down to Fox river bottoms got stalled again, had to unload, again it rained while we were there, such a time as we had I never experienced before, it hindred us half a day; got back into the right way came on to a new road staid over night near an old farmers, very friendly people, offered to let us sleep in their house, let us through their fi eld to shun a bad hill. — Caroline Barnes Crosby (No Place to Call Home, The 1807–1857 Life Writings of Caroline Barnes Crosby, Chronicler of Outlying Mormon Communities)
Drakesville, Iowa is a city along the Mormon Pioneer trail that is full of trail history. The city is at the beginning of the route used by the vast majority of Mormon Pioneers to cross Iowa. The use of the trail near Drakesville started in 1846, immediately after the vanguard, Brigham Young led companies had started their treks. This route avoided a lot of the hardships such as the thick mud, rattlesnakes, and lack of roads that the vanguard companies had to endure. It also allowed the largest group of Mormon Pioneers that departed from Nauvoo to quickly catch up with the vanguard companies, which had left a few months earlier.
Visit the Drakesville Oval and learn more about Mormon Pioneer Trail history in the local area on interpretive exhibits. The oval also contains the Davis County Freedom Rock including a Veterans Memorial “Walk of Honor" sidewalk that surrounds the landscaped Rock. The area includes two Gazebos for sitting, picnicking or just relaxing in the shade.. The Historic Hills Scenic Byway has also installed an Audio Tour and selfie stand which is very informative. The Oval is surrounded by some wonderful businesses including “The Frozen Oval” ice cream shop, “Ray’s Long Branch” bar and grill and “Quik Time” gas and convenience store.
Another Drakesville location to visit: The Drakesville City Park is just 2 blocks north which includes a playground, more picnic areas, public restrooms (during the season) and a log cabin. According to oral tradition, this log cabin was built by Mormons in 1848 in exchange for medical care and supplies. It was initially built approximately 3 miles from its current location. The cabin was donated by the Goldizen family to the City Park in 1963 the cabin was taken apart and reconstructed in the City Park. In 2015 the cabin had some major restoration work, the cabin was taken apart, each log numbered, a concrete foundation was put in and the logs put back with the hope that it will last another 150 years.
Site Information
Location (102 Main St, Drakesville, Iowa 52552)