| 1 Meek's Grist Mill – Built in 1878,
at a cost of $15,000, this is a well-preserved and
very fine example of a water-powered flour/grist mill once commonly
associated with riverside towns throughout much of the 19th
century. The original mill on this site was erected in 1844 by
William Meek. The mill, since 1977, has served home to the award-winning
Bonaparte Retreat Restaurant. See
web
site for further information. |
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
2 Auntie Green Hotel
–
N.W. Corner of 2nd and Washington, built in 1844, currently owned by
the Bonaparte Historical Society and now home to the Auntie Green
Museum and the city library. On the upper level porch on the front
of the building one can still see the gate in the railing where
luggage from atop stage coach arrivals was unloaded for quick access
to guest rooms. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
3
Hanback Pottery
Works –
Built by Thomas Hanback in 1866,
later known as Parker and Hanback and yet later as Hanback and
Wilson. At it's peak the pottery turned out about 125,000 gallons of
pottery per year as well as drain pipe, flower pots and fire proof
bricks. Currently known as the "Old
Bonaparte Pottery", it is the only remaining pottery of it's
kind in Iowa and considered an archeological treasure.
See
web site for further information. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
4
Des
Moines River Locks – Constructed
prior to 1851 of limestone blocks by William Meek. Provided power
for a number of Mills in early Bonaparte. The dam was washed out by
the flood of 1903. The mill race is now the setting for a lovely
butterfly garden. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
5
Presbyterian
Church – N.E.
corner of 5th & Texas St. Built in 1901 at a cost of $6,500, it
replaced the original church that had been on the same site. It was
built to seat 250 and was constructed of pressed brick and Bedford
stone. The land where the church sits was donated by Dr. R.N.
Cresap, an early founder of Bonaparte. |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
6
Farmers
& Traders Bank –
c. 1845-50. North
of First on West side of Main. Early on one of the Cresap buildings
in the community. Probably built at the time of the Mormon
Encampment. Housed Bonaparte's first bank ca. 1882. Later a marble
works, city library and town hall. Currently a retail establishment. |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
7
Thomas
Christy House – 1839
- 3rd & Main St. - Thomas Christy, merchant, stone mason, was
founder of the Farmers & Traders State Bank and had charge of
building the first river bridge at Bonaparte. The iron fence around
the home was set in lead and the hand hewn stones were fitted
together with no mortar between them. The first kerosene lamp ever
lighted in Bonaparte was brought to this home by Mr. Christy as well
as the first piano in town, purchased in Boston, brought up by
Riverboat. |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
8
Meek's
Pants Factory –
Built in 1892 by Isaiah Meek, located on west end of First St.
directly across from Riverside Park. This factory, along with the
woolen and grist mills were in their time known as being among the
leading manufacturing interests of the west. For decades, beginning
in 1920, this large facility was home to Fairfield Glove company.
Currently home of the Bonaparte Inn. See web
site for further
information. |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
