National Heritage Areas (Non-Units) - Iowa

Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area

9/16/2006 Headed down into Iowa on I35 then west to near Rockford to the Fossil and Prairie Park (in the NW corner of the Silos and Smokestacks NHA). Here there are trails around a prairie area, and also some quarry-like areas with pits lined with sand and stones. Fossils were plentiful; I found a bunch of shells in short order.

The park sign

A view of the area ...

... and details of the surface

Some of my finds

5/10/2011 After following the shorter southern LH segment heading into Cedar Rapids, we went south to the Indian River Nature Center, in the Silos and Smokestacks NHA. We checked out a renovated 1932 dairy barn visitor center, where maple syrup making, beekeeping, prairie restoration, and other programs are used to interpret the natural environment and the Iowa cultural and agricultural heritage.

The park sign and area

The old dairy barn

Me in the VC ...

... and being silly