History of Adel, Iowa
Adel was incorporated in 1847 which makes it the oldest community in Dallas County. Originally called Penoach, the town was founded as the county seat and was located on the first road in the county. This road carried gold seekers west and was the course of one of the most important stage routes in Iowa. Native American artifacts found in the area provide evidence of earlier residents including the Sac and Fox indians in whose language Penoach means "far away".
A Self-Guided Scenic Tour - Welcome to Adel!
You are about to embark on a virtual scenic tour located off the Raccoon River Valley Recreation Trail. Just follow the map on this webpage with cooresponding historic site numbers. For additional information about the area, call Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce at 993-5472. We hope you enjoy your visit!
City of Adel
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HEFNER, BERGKAMP & BRALAND. P.C.
Ninth Street - Adjacent to Bike Trail
This early 1900s depot was built to serve the railroad running through Adel until 1952 when the last passenger train ceased service. The railbed is currently the Raccoon River Valley Trail.
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2 - Presbyterian Church
HANNY'S OF ADEL
820 Prairie Street
This building is one of the city's oldest structures, having been built a few years after the Presbyterians were organized in Adel in 1866. It served as the church until 1924 and was later converted to a library by the city. In 2007, Hanny's of Adel, a popular restaurant, opened in the building after the City of Adel opened a new public library building.
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4 - The Dallas County Courthouse
The Dallas County Courthouse
Town Square, Ninth and Main Streets
An outstanding example of French Chateau architecture, the (fourth) Dallas County Courthouse was built in 1902 at a cost of $109,000 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Restoration of the Courthouse interior is underway and is expected to be complete.
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5 - Adel State Bank
Cameo Rose
107 North Ninth Street
This building was the scene of a famous bank robbery in which one robber was killed and six Adel men wounded. George Clarke, later Governor of Iowa, practiced law on the second floor. During the robbery, one of the hold-up men pulled the trigger on Clarke at pointblank range but the gun misfired and the future governor was saved. The incident happened in March, 1895.
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6 - The Methodist Episcopal Church
RACCOON VALLEY STATE BANK COMMUNITY HOUSE
Eleventh and Main
Constructed in 1862, this was the first church built in Adel. It was used by the congregation for 25 years and later became a private residence. In 1995 the building was renovated by the bank for use by community groups. Interior decor includes a collection of historic photographs of Adel which can be viewed by appointment.
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7 - Adel School
ADEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM
1129 Main Street
Built in 1857, this was the first two-story brick schoolhouse in Adel until 1870. While known to have been the residence of Leroy Lambert, an early community leader, the building will be remembered by many as Thornton's boarding and rooming house from 1898 until 1943. It is one of Adel's oldest standing buildings and houses the Adel Historical Museum. Call Jan Price at 515-993-1032 for museum information.
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8 - Boyhood Home of Nile Kinnick
APARTMENT HOUSE
219 North Twelfth Street
Nile Kinnick was born in Adel on July 9, 1918 to Nile Sr. and Frances Clarke Kinnick. He was a standout athlete at Adel High School and at the University of Iowa where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1939, having scored 107 of the 130 points scored by the Hawkeyes that year. Kinnick was a Navy pilot during World War II and died on June 2, 1943 when his plane went down. In 1972 the University football stadium was named in his honor.
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9 - George W. Clarke House
THE CLARKE HOUSE
207 North Fifteenth Street
This residence was the home of George W. Clarke, Iowa Governor from 1913-1917, both before and after his term in office. He practiced law in Adel and maintained his office in the Adel State Bank where he nearly was killed in the famous 1895 robbery (see Adel State Bank). Beginning in 1900 he was elected to four terms in the state house, and in 1913, govemor. Following his public service, Clarke served as Dean of the Drake Law School and practiced law in Des Moines before returning to Adel. The house remains a private residence.
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10 - UNITED BRICK AND TILE
UNITED BRICK AND TILE
1831 Main Street
Founded circa 1900 and originally called the Dallas County Brick & Tile Company, this facility is one of Adel's largest industrial plants and one of the largest tile factories in Iowa. Original kilns can be seen from the tour route. Also, watch for the brick homes, located near the factory on Main Street, which were built to house early employees.
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The Raccoon River Valley Recreation Trail features 34 miles of natural beauty through Dallas and Guthrie Counties. Interpretive signs along the scenic trail educate users about such additional historic sites as Ortonville, once home to a traveling circus. The history of the railroad line on which the trail lays and the natural history of the river valley are described in a brochure/map available at trail stops.
For more information regarding historic sites in Adel contact:
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce (515) 993-5472
Illustrations by William Wagner