Last updated: June 4, 2026
Place
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
Photo/L. Kreutzer
Quick Facts
Location:
22895 Lacey Trail, Keosauqua, Iowa.
Significance:
Ely Ford, a hardbottom crossing of the Des Moines River, was not used by the wagons of the 1846 vanguard company, which had already crossed the Des Moines at Bonaparte. Local tradition holds that Mormons crossed here later in the emigration, but exactly who used it and when is undetermined.
Designation:
Historic site on the Mormon Pioneer NHT.
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
6 listed
Accessible Sites, Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Trailhead
At the north end of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, at a horseshoe bend of the Des Moines River, stands a pink granite monument marking Ely Ford. This ford was shallow with a solid rock bottom, an excellent place for wagons and livestock to cross the river.
Local lore holds that Mormon emigrants crossed the Des Moines River here. However, there is no record demonstrating use of the ford by the 1846 vanguard company wagons, which had crossed the Des Moines River earlier at Bonaparte. Trail historian Stanley Kimball states that later Mormon companies—likely those that departed Nauvoo later in spring 1846 and took a more northerly route across Iowa—used this ford. It is also possible that Pitt’s Brass Band, a musical group with Brigham Young’s company, crossed here as they traveled between the Richardson’s Point camp (March 7- 19) and Keosauqua to perform in exchange for supplies. Ely Ford would have been a practical crossing for those three trips, but journals do not specify the route taken by the band.
To visit the monument, from Keosauqua, follow southbound Iowa Hwy 1 across the Des Moines River and immediately turn right into the park, as indicated by brown park signs. Follow the road past park buildings to a campground and turn right on Iris Trail. Follow the road to right turn to Ely Ford.
Visitors can see the monument, a National Park Service interpretive wayside exhibit, and a clear view of the Des Moines River from this location.
Local lore holds that Mormon emigrants crossed the Des Moines River here. However, there is no record demonstrating use of the ford by the 1846 vanguard company wagons, which had crossed the Des Moines River earlier at Bonaparte. Trail historian Stanley Kimball states that later Mormon companies—likely those that departed Nauvoo later in spring 1846 and took a more northerly route across Iowa—used this ford. It is also possible that Pitt’s Brass Band, a musical group with Brigham Young’s company, crossed here as they traveled between the Richardson’s Point camp (March 7- 19) and Keosauqua to perform in exchange for supplies. Ely Ford would have been a practical crossing for those three trips, but journals do not specify the route taken by the band.
To visit the monument, from Keosauqua, follow southbound Iowa Hwy 1 across the Des Moines River and immediately turn right into the park, as indicated by brown park signs. Follow the road past park buildings to a campground and turn right on Iris Trail. Follow the road to right turn to Ely Ford.
Visitors can see the monument, a National Park Service interpretive wayside exhibit, and a clear view of the Des Moines River from this location.
Site Information
Location (22895 Lacey Trail, Keosauqua, Iowa.)