Iron Truss Bridge, Bentonsport, IA (2)
**Bentonsport** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 72000482, date listed 19720425
E of Keosauqua on the Des Moines River
Bentonsport, IA (Van Buren County)
Benton’s Port, named for Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, was platted in March 1836 by Francis Church, Charles O. Sanford and Giles O. Sullivan. Sullivan settled here in December 1834, locating his double log cabin at the foot of Sullivan (now Walnut) Street. His cousin, Shapley P. Ross, joined him in 1835. John Bending, Charles O. Sanford and H. P. Graves laid out the first addition to Bentonsport in 1837. They resurveyed the whole village in 1839 for the Bentonsport Association. Across the river, South Bentonsport was first platted in 1837 by Isaac Reed and Henry Smith. Its name was legally changed to Vernon in 1852 after the post office established there.
The wagon bridge at Bentonsport was opened to traffic in 1883 replacing the ferries that once linked Vernon and Bentonsport. It is the one of the oldest iron wagon bridges remaining on the Des Moines River. The center span, however, was replaced after the Flood of 1903 destroyed it. Renovated in 1984 by the Bentonsport Improvement Association, it is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It is owned by the Van Buren County Conservation Board. (1)
References (1) Villages of Van Buren (Walking Tour of Bentonsport) villagesofvanburen.com/the-villages.html?item=36
Iron Truss Bridge, Bentonsport, IA (2)
**Bentonsport** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 72000482, date listed 19720425
E of Keosauqua on the Des Moines River
Bentonsport, IA (Van Buren County)
Benton’s Port, named for Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, was platted in March 1836 by Francis Church, Charles O. Sanford and Giles O. Sullivan. Sullivan settled here in December 1834, locating his double log cabin at the foot of Sullivan (now Walnut) Street. His cousin, Shapley P. Ross, joined him in 1835. John Bending, Charles O. Sanford and H. P. Graves laid out the first addition to Bentonsport in 1837. They resurveyed the whole village in 1839 for the Bentonsport Association. Across the river, South Bentonsport was first platted in 1837 by Isaac Reed and Henry Smith. Its name was legally changed to Vernon in 1852 after the post office established there.
The wagon bridge at Bentonsport was opened to traffic in 1883 replacing the ferries that once linked Vernon and Bentonsport. It is the one of the oldest iron wagon bridges remaining on the Des Moines River. The center span, however, was replaced after the Flood of 1903 destroyed it. Renovated in 1984 by the Bentonsport Improvement Association, it is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It is owned by the Van Buren County Conservation Board. (1)
References (1) Villages of Van Buren (Walking Tour of Bentonsport) villagesofvanburen.com/the-villages.html?item=36