Bentonsport, Historic district in Van Buren County, Iowa, US.
Bentonsport is a historic district in Iowa featuring 16 original blocks of Federal, Gothic Revival, and Steamboat Gothic architecture. The buildings sit along the Des Moines River and spread across roughly 35 acres.
The district was established in 1836 and grew as a major steamboat landing with mills along the river. The arrival of the railroad in 1866 shifted transportation patterns and reshaped the local economy.
The Mason House Inn from 1846 served as a gathering place for travelers and business people passing through town. It shows how the district functioned as a hub for trade and social exchange.
The district is best explored on foot since most buildings sit closely together along the riverbank. Visitors can wander through artisan shops, bed and breakfast inns, and museums displaying local history.
The Lawrence Sullivan Ross Memorial was erected in the district in 2007 and stands as Iowa's sole Confederate memorial. This makes it a surprising historical marker at this river town location.
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