bentonsport national historic district

In its early history, every Iowa community near a river dreamed of developing into a port from which grain and other products could be shipped and received. Bentonsport in southeastern Iowa encouraged some success in this field. Visit the Lewelling Museum in Salem while you're here or hunt for geodes in nearby Keokuk.

Small, Cute shops, Tony Sanders Museum is a must stop at. Mason House Inn experience was a lot of fun.

Beautiful little historic village with several nice shops. We liked the scenery and interesting shops.

Bentonsport is a must see stop in SE Iowa. The 'Iron & Old Lace' shop, the 'Greif Store' (Antiques), the 'Mason House' inn, the Des Moines River walk bridge, and especially Tony's Indian Artifacts are a few the great places in Bentonsport. Another of the delightful villages in SE Iowa.

We usually bring visiting family here. One can easily make a day of it with the many interesting places to visit in such a small stretch of this river village.

Great step back in time. Lots to see. Great day trip or weekend away. Shops to visit. Iron and Lace is unique and a must see. Love touring the Mason House Inn.

Every time we visit Iowa we have to make a day of it in Bentonsport. Of the twelve "Villages of Van Buren" we think Bentonsport is the best. There are cute shops and the peacefulness of the bridge and rose garden. We always stay at the Mason House bed and breakfast where the beds are comfortable and the breakfast is terrific. There is also a campground if you want to camp. The kids like to walk along the river banks and collect geode rocks. There is a shelter house for a picnic and you can get sandwiches, drinks, and fudge at the old Post Office building. You can bring a canoe for the river or hike on the trails, or just sit by the riverside and soak up the serenity.

We enjoyed looking through the stores, the Mason House Inn, buying fudge and homemade pies, walking across the Iron Truss Bridge and admiring the Indian Artifact Museum and speaking to the artist Tony Sanders.

Bentonsport, Iowa is one of my very favorite places in the world! I am lucky enough to claim status as an itinerant resident on most weekends. In the Des Moines River valley, this lovely little village (one of the Villages of Van Buren) is on the National Historic Registry. The main street has several shops, most notably Iron and Lace which has been featured in Midwest Living magazine at least five different times. The shop features beautiful hand forged ironwork and pottery featuring a unique pattern created by an actual Queen Anne's Lace blossom. The resident artists, blacksmiths Bill Printy and Mark Heisdorffer, and potter, Betty Printy and the cadre of others who weave lovely, colorful rag rugs, make this place a must see. There is also a new sandwich/fudge shop in town called Forever Sweet Creations. The sandwiches are huge and tasty with exceptionally fresh veggies. There are several varieties of fudge, I especially like one of Jenny's new flavors...the Mexican fudge which is dark chocolate with a hint of cinnamon, but also have been known to treat myself to the Pecan Praline, the TigerButter (peanut butter) and the Maple Walnut. Grab a great sandwich, cold drink and sweet treat and sit on the back porch and watch the lazy Des Moines River; it is a terrific way to relax. The beauty of Bentonsport includes not only the beautiful river, but a historic bridge (now just a pedestrian bridge) which catches the late afternoon light in such a magical way. There is a lovely community rose garden that occupies the old vestiges of one of the old mills. Volunteers from Bentonsport and nearby communities tend the garden and it is especially beautiful in late May, early June when there is a plethora of different flowers abloom. Be sure to check out the gorgeous sundial adorned with iron roses fashioned by the local blacksmiths from Iron and Lace. There are several benches to sit and enjoy the scenery...birds abound, a lovely watergarden gurgles, and in early summer, be sure to walk through the honeysuckle hedge formed into a delightfully perfumed tunnel as fireflies illuminate the still night. There are many beautiful historic homes in town, a beautiful Presbyterian church on the hill that has impeccable acoustics. Regular church services are held during the spring/summer and the church is available for weddings or other ceremonies and concerts. For those wishing to do a bit of camping there is a small campground on the east end of town that is being upgraded with new electrical outlets etc.after surviving the flood of 2008. If you have not visited Bentonsport, but crave a quiet place, where you can enjoy a lazy weekend enjoying bucolic scenery, and local art, then you really must visit.

Bentonsport is one of Iowa's hidden secrets. A little off the beaten path, even the GPSs don't know exactly where it is. But once you find it you will never forget it. One of the Villages of Van Buren, Bentonsport is the gem of the bunch. Quiet, quaint, and beautiful. There is the Rose Garden in the foundation of the old mills, the Mason House Inn B&B, the Greef General store, the Iron and Lace shop with hand made pottery, and the Gems for Me gem shop. A new shop sells fudge and sandwiches out of the old Post Office building. A walking bridge spans the Des Moines River and is a great place to read or ponder or watch the sun go down and set the river ablaze. Bentonsport is one of my favorite spots in Iowa. Definately a must see.