OFFICIAL VISITOR’S GUIDE Helping a Growing World Do More From humble beginnings in 1927, KENT Corporation’s footprint has grown from one small animal feed dealership years ago, into a multinational manufacturer and supplier of today with 40 locations across seven countries and sales worldwide. Recently named a US Best Managed Company, a program sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, KENT takes pride in its role in the American supply chain and its deep roots in Muscatine, Iowa. As one of the largest employers in Muscatine, KENT cares about the community, and has generously given back to the city it has called home for generations. Deep Roots Kent Corporation is a diversified, family business with operating subsidiaries involved in corn wet milling, the production of animal nutrition and the manufacture of high- quality food, beverage, personal care and pet products. Kent is led by third generation family member, Gage A. Kent. COVID-19 We strongly encourage visitors and the residents to rely on expertise and guidance from the public health Inside Guide officials regarding COVID-19. There will be 2 Welcome 12 Attractions events in the Muscatine 4 Transportation 18 Trail System Map area that will either be postponed or cancelled. Many 5 History 22 Annual Events attractions have also changed their hours or have temporarily 6 Make it Muscatine 28 Dining closed. We encourage you to check visitmuscatine.com and other 7 Bingo 32 Lodging websites, before you consider attending or visiting. 8 Sports & Recreation ON THE COVER Mississippi Harvest: a testament to heritage Mississippi Harvest, the 28-foot, 9,000 wealth and prosperity. The ‘pearl rush’ truly stands as a testament to the spirit lb. bronze statue commissioned by the of Muscatine – a national treasure story of innovation and grit that gave rise to City of Muscatine, stands vigilant over akin to the Gold Rush in the West – was other great manufacturing companies this historic river town nestled on the born. Clammers, pearlers, cutters and and industries founded by Muscatine banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. polishers by the thousands created an entrepreneurs. industry in Muscatine which stretched to This magnificent artwork, created by the Arkansas, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers See Mississippi Harvest up close and nationally-acclaimed sculptor Erik as well. By the turn of the 20th Century, personal right next to (sometimes in) Blome, was installed at Riverside Park in Muscatine produced 1.5 billion pearl the Mississippi River at Muscatine’s 2006. buttons a year. Riverside Park, 101 W Mississippi Dr. at the foot of Iowa Avenue. And for a great “In my business, you’re really sensitive Overharvesting the freshwater mussels historical adventure, visit The National to personality. It’s almost as much about and the invention of plastics used to Pearl Button Museum @ The History who they’re not honoring,” said sculptor manufacture buttons brought an end to and Industry Center at 117 W 2nd Street Erik Blome, in a Muscatine Journal Muscatine’s pearl button era. in Historic Downtown Muscatine. article. “In this case, it’s not really about honoring a famous person, it’s about the Mississippi Harvest continues to heritage of Muscatine.” stand sentinel over today’s Muscatine. Although most people call him a Mississippi Harvest was inspired by an ‘clammer’ or a ‘clam fisher’, more original photograph in the collection of accurately the rugged Muscatine man the Muscatine Art Center which depicts depicted in the statue is actually a a man harvesting mussels with a clam pearler. He would use the clam forks to rake. The sculpture is dedicated to those prospect for the biggest, oldest clams in who made Muscatine the “Pearl Button the river – those mussels hosting some of Capitol of the World.” the finest freshwater pearls to be found. By 1898 the “Pearl City” turned out Created specifically to honor the Pearl over 138 million buttons. Freshwater Button Industry – the real ‘gold-rush mussels were plentiful and wearing pearl of the Midwest’, Mississippi Harvest buttons on your clothes was a sign of 1 to WelcomeLocated in East Central Iowa, and parks and recreational Muscatine Muscatine County borders facilities, you have plenty the Mighty Mississippi of options to choose. River. In fact, Muscatine is We’re easily accessible via nestled on the banks of the Interstate 80, US Highway 61 Mississippi along the only and State Routes 22, 38 and place where the north-south 92. There are also quite a few river runs east to west. county roads to ramble for exploring those out of the Muscatine is rich in way places. We’re happy to history, activities, have you visit us and invite amenities, innovation and you to experience our warm entrepreneurial spirit as Midwestern hospitality. well as natural beauty. From our perfect position on the Mississippi to our bluffs 42 to Welcome MuscatineWhether you’re visiting for beautiful parks, a winery, visitor or part of a family or business, family, sports, an expansive trail system, group. Groups of all sizes history, shopping or to enjoy shopping, museums, fishing enjoy Muscatine. our beautiful parks and river hot spots and much more We welcome bus trips and views, Muscatine is your for you discover! provide proven itineraries natural choice. Muscatine With a wide-array of that can be customized to has a microbrewery, a offerings, there’s something meet your interests. regional soccer complex, for every taste and budget, wonderful restaurants for whether you are a solo every taste, golf courses, an aquatic center, 35 TRANSPORTATION Muscatine Municipal Airport 5701 Hwy 61, Muscatine, IA 563-263-8672 www.muscatineiowa.gov Quad City International Airport 2200 69th Ave., Moline, IL 309-764-9621 www.qcairport.com Royal Taxi Cab Service 563-262-8294 nd Muscabus 2609 2 Avenue 563-263-8152 Non-Emergency Muscatine, Iowa Transport 563-299-3513 563.263.1122 www.commbk.net O F F I C I A L V I S I T O R ’ S GUIDE Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry 100 W. 2nd St. • Muscatine, Iowa 52761-4027 • 563-263-8895 Email: [email protected] Editor: Rebecca Paulsen, GMCCI • Design: Mike Shield, Shield Design Contributors: Andra Travis Photography, Paul Brooks, Jim Elias, Jodi Hansen, Greg Harper, Jill Holler, Rebecca Paulsen, Mike Shield, Timberdoodle Photography, Mark Washburn, Gary Weikert ©2021 The future of driving is electric and Muscatine is ready for EV owners today. Find convenient public charging stations on your EV app or see the list above. Leading with innovation, MPW is your source of economical and reliable power, water, Gigabit internet, TV and phone services. Enjoy Muscatine, where you can recharge more than just your car. mpw.org MPW EV CHARGING STATION WE CONNECT PEOPLE 3205 CEDAR STREET to life 4 History Walk through the historic districtsts of West Hill and Downtown to see CIVIL WAR MONUMENTS the magnificent architectural styles of the numerous historic homes AND MARKERS and buildings. Following is a list of buildings and structures listed At the beginning of the Civil War on the National Register of Historic Places. in 1861, Muscatine men hurried to enlist. Muscatine sent more men to war than any other county in Iowa. NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Later, in April of 1862, the casualty list from the Battle of City of Muscatine Muscatine County Shiloh in Tennessee touched every • Alexander Clark House, • Big Slough Creek Bridge, Nichols neighborhood in the city. For 50 203 W. Third St. • Bridge Near West Liberty, years, the city celebrated Shiloh Day. • Clark-Blackwell House, West Liberty Muscatine still remembers the Civil 206 Cherry St. War. Monuments and markers can • Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific be found in different parts of the • Downtown Commercial Historic Railroad-Wilton Depot, Wilton county: District, Second Street • Samuel Nicholas House, Nichols • First Presbyterian Church • Camp Strong Marker, Muscatine • George H. & Loretta Ward House, 401 Iowa Ave. West Liberty • Civil War Monument, Wilton • Greenwood Cemetery Chapel • West Liberty Commercial Historic • Marble Shaft in Cemetery, Wilton 1814 Lucas St. District, West Liberty • Muscatine County Courthouse, • J.C.B. Warde House • Wilton Candy Kitchen, Wilton Muscatine 205 Cherry St. • Soldier Monument, • Muscatine County Courthouse, West Liberty 401 E. Third St. Just outside of Muscatine • Lock and Dam No. 16 • Vandever Memorial • Muscatine County Historic Jail Bridge on GAR 411 E. Fourth St. Lock & Dam 16 is located across the Mississippi River from Muscatine at Highway, Southwest • Pliny and Adelia Fay House 33109 102 Ave. West, Illinois City, IL of Moscow 112 Locust St. • Pine Creek Grist Mill • S.M. McKibben House, Wildcat Den State Park 102 Walnut St. • Pine Mill Bridge • Sinnett Octagon House Wildcat Den State Park U.S. Highways 38 & 61 • Pine Mill German Methodist • Trinity Episcopal Church Episcopal Church 411 E. Second St. 180th Street and • W. Joseph Fuller House Verde Avenue 1001 Mulberry Ave. • Welch Apartments, 224 Iowa Ave. • West Hill District, W. Second Street A Stroll Through Old Muscatine A walking tour book, “A Stroll Through Old Muscatine”, is available to help guide you on a mesmerizing tour of Muscatine’s finest architecture in the Historic West Hill District. Books available at the Chamber office at 100 W. 2nd St as well as several locations throughout Muscatine. For more information call 563-263-8895. 5 MAKE IT MUSCATINE visitmuscatine.com Interested in learning more about our unique history, upcoming events, or what it’s like to live here? Our website takes a more in-depth look at all that Muscatine has to offer. Get Muscatine items Our visitor’s center, located at 100 W. 2nd St., offers a unique selection of Muscatine and Iowa items created by local artists. From t-shirts, art, postcards, home goods, to jewelry and more, we have something for everyone! final CVB guide cover will go here Go Digital The visitor’s guide is always on hand digitally! Pull it up on your mobile device at visitmuscatine.com.