Fort Madison was founded in 1838, credited to General John Knapp, who was named the town after the current president James Madison. Fort Madison has one of the most beautiful river fronts along the Mississippi, (one of the few places where the river runs east and west) and showcases a reconstructed Old Fort Madison. two historic train depots, beautiful historic homes and the worlds largest double-decker swing span bridge. Fort Madison was also home to The Scheaffer Pen Company.
Daniel McConn Barn:
Iowa's only bank/basement, double-decker, Pennsylvania- Dutch barn, built in 1857. This immense structure's foundation is hand-laid stone with board and batten hand-hewn timbers joined with wooden pegs. Three cupola's adorn the apex of the roof, a very distinctive feature that identifies the barn as one of a kind. This is a most unusual barn for it's size and design and is one of the oldest and largest in the state. There are three levels to this barn and has only had seven owners in its history. Restoration of the barn took 3 years and is still in use for agricultural purposes today.
Engine #2913:
Located in Riverview Park the A.T. & S.F. Steam Engine #2913 was given to the city by the Sante Fe Railroad in 1959. This fully refurbished Baldwin 4-8-4 "Northern" was built in 1944 weighing 354 tons was one of the last steam locomotives to see revenue service. It was used to haul war equipment in the western United states.
Sante Fe Depot:
Originally built as the Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe Railroad Depot, it was completed in 1911. The county seat, a mission style depot, with its long and low tiled roof, arched windows & bell tower, is the only one intact and still in existence built in that era. This depot was presented to the city in 1971 by the Sante Fe, and is currently a museum offering railroad history, firefighting lore, Sheaffer Pen history and pioneer-day legends. Adding further to the site is the A.T. & S.F. Caboose, retired and intact another gift from Sante Fe.
Iowa State Penitentiary:
This maximum security prison was built in 1839 and served as territorial prison before Iowa was a state. It is one of the oldest correctional facilities west of the Mississippi. The original cell block completed in the early 1840's is still in use today. Currently the only maximum security prison in the state it houses approximately 1,000 inmates.
Sante Fe Bridge:
Originally built in 1888, the current bridge was built in 1927. Measuring 525 feet, the bridge is the worlds larges double-decker, swing span bridge. The top level accommodates automobile traffic while the lower level provides two tracks for railroad traffic. The bridge rotates to allow river traffic to pass safely.
The Albright "Betsy Ross House"
Jacob W. and William G. Albright were partners in Albright Brothers Mercantile Store. In 1857 they commissioned Marr & Creps to build this three story brick Italianate duplex as their families home. W. Albright wife Cynthia, and family lived the left side; and J.W. Albright, wife Rachel, and family lived the right side. Jacob's wife Rachel was the grand-daughter of Betsy Ross. The house is three stories tall with ceiling heights of 12 feet. Each residence consisted of 13 rooms and both homes were mirror images. This home is listed on the Historic National Registry.
