Dolliver Memorial State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dolliver Memorial State Park |
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Dolliver Memorial State Park's South Lodge
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 Dolliver Memorial State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Webster, Iowa, United States |
| Area | 594 acres (240 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,005 ft (306 m) |
| Established | 1925 |
| Named for | Jonathan P. Dolliver |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Dolliver Memorial State Park |
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Dolliver Memorial State Park
Area A & Area B |
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| Built | 1934-1935 |
| Built by | Civilian Conservation Corps |
| Architect | Central Design Office, Ames |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| MPS | CCC Properties in Iowa State Parks MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001684 90001685 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1990 |
Dolliver Memorial State Park is a beautiful state park in Iowa, USA. It's known for its tall cliffs and deep valleys along the Des Moines River. You can find it about 10 miles (16 km) south of Fort Dodge and 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Lehigh. This park is so special that parts of it are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These parts are called the Entrance Area (Area A) and the Picnic, Hiking & Maintenance Area (Area B).
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Park Geography
Dolliver Memorial State Park sits on the west side of the Des Moines River. A small stream called Prairie Creek flows into the river here. This creek has carved its way through a 100-foot (30 m) high cliff. This carving shows layers of sandstone that were formed by an ancient river.
The Copperas Beds
These rock layers are known as the Copperas Beds. Here, you can see petrified wood, which is wood that has turned into rock over millions of years. You can also find minerals like calcite and sulfur. These minerals were left behind by water that filtered through the rocks.
Park History
The park has a rich history, from ancient times to the early 20th century. It includes stories of early people, a famous prank, and how the park was created.
Boneyard Hollow's Past
At the north end of the park is a narrow valley called Boneyard Hollow. Early settlers found many bison bones scattered here. People believe that ancient Native Americans either chased bison into this valley from a buffalo jump or herded them from the riverbank. They would then hunt and prepare the animals in this confined space. There are also several ancient Indian mounds within the park.
The Hennepin Plate Hoax
In 1915, an 11-year-old girl named Ruth Peterson found a lead tablet near Boneyard Hollow. The tablet had a Latin message saying that explorers had left it in 1750 to claim the area for France. It even mentioned Father Louis Hennepin, a famous explorer. This "Hennepin Plate" caused a lot of excitement because it could change what we knew about European exploration in Iowa.
However, experts found problems with the Latin writing. Also, Father Hennepin had died in 1706, long before 1750. Soon, two local boys admitted they had made the tablet as a prank in 1913. Even though it was a hoax, the tablet helped bring attention to this beautiful area. People became interested in protecting it as a state park.
Establishing the Park
The land for the park was bought for $38,500. In 1925, it officially became Dolliver Memorial State Park. It was Iowa's third state park, after Backbone and Ledges. Ruth Peterson, who found the tablet, lived to be 100 years old. In 2007, her family donated the tablet to the Webster County Historical Society.
Building the Park with the CCC
During the Great Depression, two special programs helped build many of the park's features. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked in the park from 1933 to 1935. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the group camp from 1937 to 1938. The buildings and structures made by the CCC are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The CCC built the checking station and north entrance gates by April 1934. The south gates were finished by May 1935. The service building, which was the largest project, was also completed in April 1934. A new lodge was finished in November 1934, replacing an older one. Its stone patio was added in July 1935. A memorial to U.S. Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver, who the park is named after, was completed in May 1935.
Other CCC projects included a latrine (restroom), footbridges, culverts (tunnels for water), stone steps along a hiking trail, and new roads. The buildings were designed in a rustic architecture style. This means they used natural materials and designs to blend in with the park's beautiful surroundings.
Park Facilities
Dolliver Memorial State Park offers several facilities for visitors.
- The campground has 33 sites, all with electricity.
- There are also two camper cabins available.
- Modern restrooms and showers are provided for campers.
- A holding tank dump station is available for RVs.
- A separate group camp includes a dining hall, restrooms, and showers.
- Two lodges built in the 1930s and an open picnic shelter can be rented for events.
Recreation at Dolliver
The park offers fun activities for everyone.
- There is a boat ramp for easy access to the river.
- An interpretive trail follows Prairie Creek to the Copperas Beds.
- This trail then leads up to the wooded tops of the bluffs, offering great views.
