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Great River Road National
Scenic Byway
The Great River Road consists of
a three-thousand mile network of federal, state and county
roads. It parallels the Mississippi River on both sides from
Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The upper River
benefits from the construction of 27 locks and dams which
effectively provide a nine-foot channel necessary for barge
navigation.
Deep wooded valleys and, verdant lowlands
are sculpted by the meandering "Great River". Magnificent
limestone bluffs provide panoramic vistas.
For forty-six
miles, State Highway 52 South from Dubuque to Sabula, Iowa is
designated the Great River Road Scenic Byway in Jackson County. |
Highway 52 near Bellvue Scenic Byway |
St. Donatus Church |
St.
Donatus
The village of St. Donatus
boasts the greatest concentration of 18th century Luxembourg
architecture in America; also America's oldest outdoor Way of
the Cross.
Bellevue, Iowa has its business district fronting a landscaped
Riverview Park the length of the city that offers bench
swings,picnic tables and gazebos. One can watch a "locking
through"of a barge at Lock and Dam 12. Bellevue State Park
offers an unparalleled view of the Mississippi River from the
bluffs and also Indian mounds and Iowa's Largest Butterfly
Garden. |
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Green
Island Wildlife Management Area contains 3,500
acres of marsh and timberland nestled along the west bank of the
Mississippi River just below the mouth of the Maquoketa River in
Jackson County. It is located eight miles South of Bellevue The
unique backwater complex has often been called Iowa's
"Okefenokee" swamp due to the vast series of backwater channels
and sloughs.
Sabula is Iowa's only "Island City." It is
surrounded by three bodies of water; two lakes and the
Mississippi River. Located at the junction of Hwy. 52 and 64,
the Jackson County Welcome Center, a replica of a one-room
school, offers a nostalgic look at the past and information
about Jackson County and the surrounding area. |
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DO YOU KNOW:
- The Mississippi
River is the longest and largest river in
North America.
- The watershed to the Mississippi covers 40% of the United
States.
- The average surface speed of the water is 1.2 miles per hour.
- The river is
over a mile and a half wide in some areas.
- Mississippi is
an indian word meaning "gather of water" or "great river". |
Lock & Dam in Bellevue |
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View of Bellevue, Iowa |
Scenic Byway: Grant Wood
Scenic Byway
The Grant Wood Scenic Byway is a road less
traveled in Eastern Iowa that lets you experience the world of
one of America's most notable artist. He painted the people and
landscape of a state that he loved. One of his most famous
paintings is American Gothic depicting a stoic farmer next to
his daughter with a pitchfork in hand.
The Grant Wood
Scenic Byway runs through the heart of Jackson County. Beginning
South of Bellevue off Hwy 52 on Z15, you'll recognize the
objects of Wood's inspiration - rolling hills, limestone
structures, stunning pastoral scenes, church spires and hamlets. |
The picturesque town of Bellevue is a historic
river town. Riverside Park offers a winding brick path and gardens the
entire length of the city and a close up view of a lock-through of grain
laden barges at Lock and Dam 12.
South of Bellevue, the Bellevue State Park has a
breathtaking panoramic view of the town and river, butterfly gardens and
Indian mounds.
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The Grant Wood Scenic Byway
stretches for nearly 60
miles from Bellevue to Anamosa. At the tiny village of
Springbrook, the traveler will pickup E17 to Andrew and turn
left at Hwy 62 to go to Maquoketa and then West on Hwy. 64 to
Anamosa. An optional 20 mile loop tour is offered at Andrew and
you could continue your travels on E17 and then turn left on 428
to visit the Maquoketa Caves State Park. Venture on self-guided
tours through tree canopied trails to the 13 caves or seek out
above ground formations such as Iowa's largest natural bridge
and balancing rock.
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Jackson County Farm |
Main street charm, antique treasures, art
galleries, historic homes and friendly folks of small town America
are features of Maquoketa. The town is home to the Jackson Counmty
Historical Musem and the Hurstville Lime Kilns.
Encounter the "roads less
traveled". Drive slowly through and experience the subtle detail of
this rolling country planted to ribbons of green, dotted with farm
houses and small towns. This is rural America at it's finest and the
object of Wood's inspiration.
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