INHF 25th Anniversary Event #19
Prairie Heritage Days
& Frontier Market

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Step into Fossil and Prairie Park and step back into the 19th Century. Experience how pioneers once lived, worked and played on the prairies of Iowa.

Event details
Volunteers dressed in period costumes are scattered at different stations to offer various pioneer activities and demonstrations. Demonstrations for 2004 Prairie Heritage Day are still being finalized, but here's the list to date:

8:30 a.m. Registration begins for Fun Run, lower level of Visitor Center.
9:30 a.m. 5K Fun Run begins. This unique cross-country run follows a mowed trail through the fossil quarry, around the prairie loop, and over hills. Prizes include a new mountain bike.
10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mix of displays and programs
1 to 3 p.m.: Old time music provided by the "Old Fossils"

Possible demonstations/programs include bead and basket weaving, spinning wool, soap and pottery making, musket loading and firing, blacksmithing, cooking fry bread over an open fire, clothes washing, quilting and Buckskinner demonstrations, pan-tossing contest, Ghost Garrison demonstration about the life of a soldier in the mid-1800s.

Come whenever you want or spend the entire day at this fun family event! Food and refreshments are available for purchase on-site. Bring along some extra money for the Frontier Market--where vendors sell a variety of homemade goodies like soap, jelly, honey, Santa gourds and other crafts.

The story behind this place
Since the 1800s, the site of the Fossil and Prairie Park has been noted nationally as an important place for fossil collecting and studies. It has provided many scientifically important specimens of beautifully preserved Devonian invertebrates, and it's a popular teaching site for universities throughout the Midwest. The geology here also drew businesses like Rockford Brick and Tile, which quarried clay at this site.

INHF has been involved in this area for 20 years. In 1983 INHF negotiated a ten-year renewable lease with the landowners of Juniper Hill, a one-acre tract with a unique Creeping Juniper species and native prairie in addition to abundant fossil outcrops. The lease provided for protection and careful management of this special natural area. Juniper Hill was later purchased by Floyd County Conservation Board and is part of the Fossil and Prairie Park.

The original 186-acre park was established in 1990 on the former Rockford Brick and Tile Company property. INHF coordinated the cost-sharing of an appraisal and assisted in the process for a successful state Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant application. The REAP grant was awarded, paying 100 percent of the cost of acquiring this very special property.

In 2001, the Floyd County Conservation Board established its county nature center here. Today the Fossil and Prairie Center provides educational displays of the region's rich natural history. Topics such as the prairie ecosystem, fossil beds and their formation, conservation and preservation of our natural resources, and the history of the Brick and Tile Company provide visitors a greater understanding of Floyd County and this unique area. Last year, an estimated 10,000 visitors utilized the park. This park is one of three publicly owned areas nationwide that allows fossil collecting.

Partner Information
The Floyd County Conservation Board manages nearly 1500 acres to give public access to a rich diversity of woodlands, prairies and fen. Quality experiences are available for camping, canoeing, hunting and fishing, bird watching, hiking and outdoor learning. The unique Fossil & Prairie Park and Center has become a destination site. From environmental education to tourism, the opportunity for fossil hunting and viewing the museum quality exhibits has made this Floyd County's most popular attraction.

The Fossil and Prairie Center Foundation activities provide the Floyd County Conservation Board with an organizational base for volunteers, advice as to the needs of the community, and an avenue for community involvement. The Foundation is actively involved in supporting environmental education and other conservation-oriented activities and projects in Floyd County. One of the primary goals of the Foundation is to raise funds via membership, gifts, annual events, etc.

Driving Directions
The Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park is located one mile west of Rockford on Highway B47.

Visitor Info
Charles City Chamber of Commerce
(641) 228-4234
info@charlescitychamber.com


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