Preparation Canyon State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Preparation Canyon State Park |
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 Preparation Canyon State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Monona, Iowa, United States |
| Area | 344 acres (139 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,306 ft (398 m) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Preparation Canyon State Park |
Preparation Canyon State Park is a special place located north of Pisgah, Iowa, in the United States. It's found within the amazing Loess Hills, which are unique landforms. This park is about 344 acres big, and it's kept mostly wild and natural. It's a great spot for families and friends to enjoy nature.
You can have picnics, go hiking on trails, and even camp overnight at one of the ten hike-in campsites. The park is surrounded by dramatic hills on its north, south, and west sides. It sits at the northern end of the larger Loess Hills State Forest.
A Look Back in Time: The Story of Preparation Canyon
Preparation Canyon State Park gets its interesting name from a town that used to be here. This town was called "Preparation." It was started in the 1850s by a man named Charles B. Thompson and his followers.
These people were Mormons who had left the wagon trains heading west. They believed that their life on Earth was a "preparation" for the world to come. That's why they named their community "Preparation."
The Town of Preparation
At one time, the town of Preparation was quite busy. It had 67 houses, a post office, and even a skating rink! There was also a blacksmith shop where tools and metal items were made.
However, a disagreement happened between Charles B. Thompson and his followers. Thompson eventually left the area. By the early 1900s, the town was mostly deserted. Only a stockyard remained, which closed in 1946.
How the Park Was Created
The land for Preparation Canyon State Park was bought from a family named Perrin. Walter and Martha Perrin were descendants of the original Mormons who settled there.
In 1934, they sold the first 82 acres of land to the state of Iowa. Later, in 1969, Martha sold another 157 acres. Eventually, the state also bought the family's old farmstead. This is how this beautiful natural area became a state park for everyone to enjoy!
