AttractionsCedar Rock State ParkCedar Rock was created through a meeting of Frank Lloyd Wright and Lowell Walter. Lowell was one of the county’s innovative businessmen. Wright was a cultural icon who created feats of engineering through organic architecture with works like the Guggenheim and Falling Water. The Walter House is one of Wright’s Usonian designs. These Usonian homes were designed to be simplified and affordable; a Wright home for the common man. Cedar Rock is also one of the most complete designs Frank Lloyd Wright had the opportunity to create. Wright designed the furniture, chose the knickknacks, and supervised every detail. His reach went so far as to granting permission for their house warming gifts to enter the house and then designated where they were to be placed. Just before his death FLlW awarded a red ceramic initialed tile that signifies the home as a premier complete Wright design. Nearly 500 of Wright’s designs were actually constructed; of those 500 there are only 24 FLlW signed buildings worldwide. The Walter family was very proud to have their home Cedar Rock earn such a statement of honor from their beloved architect. Cedar Rock overlooks the Wapsipinicon River. This scenic area is the perfect setting for this glass home. Wright truly brings the outdoors indoors here. Lowell and Agnes Walter enjoyed this home for 30 years before gifting the estate to the state of Iowa in 1982. The Iowa DNR now manages this cultural resource, while the Walter Charitable Trust assures the perpetual maintenance of the site. Cedar Rock State Park consists of 320 acres which includes natural and cultural resources. Aside from the Walter estate this state park has a small oak savannah wildlife refuge area with mowed walking areas. There is also a separate public hunting area adjacent to Buchanan County Conservation Board’s Pine Creek area. Camping is not available on site however; there are several city, county, and state parks with camping within short driving distances. Area HistoryIndependence, IA* The Wapsipinicon Feed Mill, which began in 1854, was
added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. * The Illinois Central Rail Road, closed in the
mid-1960s, moved to a new location along Iowa 150 N. Area FishingIndependence, IA* Two public boat docks provide facilities for boating,
fishing and water skiing on the Wapsipinicon River. * Wapsipinicon River Access, one mile northwest of
Independence, provides fishing, hunting and boating, with boat ramp and parking
facilities. |
Area ParksIndependence, IA* Independence, Iowa, has 12 city parks, and Three Elms
Park one mile south along the Wapsipinicon River. * Fontana
Park, on Otter Creek, 10 miles north of Independence on Iowa 150, consists of
120 acres of woodland and a 60-acre lake with fishing and boating. Half of area
is refuge for native wildlife and fish spawning. Remainder provides
recreational activities, including archery, camping, picnic facilities and rest
rooms. Also has seven softball diamonds, nature/hiking trail and fitness trail. Jesup, IA* City Park has playground
equipment and picnic area. It also has four tennis courts located next to water
tower. * Cutshall
area, four-and-one-half miles north of Jesup on Wapsipinicon River, 70 acres,
offers river access, hunting, camping, rest rooms, picnic facilities and nature
trail. * Parker
Muncey Pioneer Park, walking path and flower gardens. Area CampingIndependence, IA* Camping at Pine Ridge, Iowa
939 East, and The Oaks, 1229 First Ave. NE., Independence, Iowa. |
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