Welcome to Our Towns
Make Yourself at Home
Adair
Turn off Interstate 80 when you see the Smiley Face water tower, cross the Adair Viaduct Bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places and you will be in the town of Adair. The highest point in Iowa on the Rock Island Railroad Line, Adair sits in the Missouri/Mississippi River divide and was the site of the first moving train robbery. Adair hosts Jesse James days each July.
The city of Adair was founded in 1872 and was named in honor of General John Adair, an officer in the War of 1812 and the eighth governor of Kentucky. An Evolution of Flags display, dedicated to the heroes and victims of 9/11 waves on Main Street.
A large steam engine wheel marks the spot just west of town where the infamous Jesse James Gang pulled off the world’s first robbery of a moving train on July 21, 1873.
Adair boasts two of the area’s best culinary delights – Zipps Pizzeria, named Iowa’s Best Pizza by Travel Iowa and The Chuckwagon Restaurant, home to Iowa’s Best Burger according to the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
Bridgewater
Visitors to Bridgewater can take in plenty of small-town atmosphere and eat some of the best fried chicken around at the Bridgewater Café.
A miniature village sits on the north edge of town and a Sorensen mural downtown depicts the town’s railroad and Mormon Trail history.
The city park features updated playground equipment and picnic facilities. Come in June for Round-up Days.
Fontanelle
Enjoy a picnic in the park in the shadow of Fontanelle’s Historic Bandstand while the kids play on the playground. Or visit Delmer Miller Park on the west side of town after you’ve shopped the town’s retail establishments.
Fontanelle was founded in 1851 and originally named Summerset. The name was changed by the Iowa Legislature to honor Chief Logan Fontenelle of the Omaha Indian Tribe, a leader in treaty negotiation.
The public square includes a sesquicentennial mural by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, homage to the town’s railroad history as well as a marker of the site of the town’s first log cabin.
Fontanelle was the original Adair County seat. The move to Greenfield under duress is one of the many interesting chapters of Adair County history.
Greenfield
See a live show at the Warren Cultural Center, a restored opera house that is also home to a gallery and artist retail shop. Stay in the historic boutique Hotel Greenfield. View the Schildberg Antique Car Collection. Shop or put in some spa time in the town’s Public Square Historic District.
It’s all there in downtown Greenfield along with a monument to Adair County Veterans.
Venture to the edge of town and you’ll find the Iowa Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame, the Adair County Heritage Complex, and the Purdy Sports Complex and Greenfield Fitness Center, and the Greenfield Golf & Country Club.
Greenfield also offers a public swimming pool near a well-shaded city park and two lakes. Nodaway Lake is a peaceful site for a picnic, fishing or camping, and connects to the Sidey Nature Trail. Lake Greenfield provides picnic shelters, a disc golf course and a 2-mile paved walking trail.
Come in July for a true taste of Adair County country at the Adair County Fair.
Fly in to the Greenfield Municipal Airport for your visit to Adair County!
Orient
The Mormon’s first encountered Native Americans on their trek westward at the site that would later become the town of Orient. A marker marks the spot.
Orient was incorporated in 1882, on a site laid out by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad in 1879. Today, Orient is a quiet little town perfectly situated between the regional hub of Creston and the county seat in Greenfield, and near the popular camping and fishing site Lake Orient.
Stuart
Saints Center rises from the ashes of an arsonist’s flame to provide homage to the Byzantine beauty of the original All Saints Church, the Learning Museum for Religious Tolerance, and rental space for weddings and community events. The Restored Historic Depot, once the site of the Rock Island Line division station and machine shop offers both an event venue and a trip back in time.
The sites join the Seth Thomas Clock Tower atop the historic Masonic Temple building and the historic Hotel Stuart in paying homage to Stuart’s history.
The town was first settled around 1850, but it was the railroad in the 1870s that brought growth and community flavor.
Today visitors to Stuart will find a bowling alley, sports complex, aquatic center, and a hard-surface walking trail. Lawbaugh Park offers horseshoes, basketball, disc golf, picnic areas and a playground.
Downtown you’ll find the site of a Bonnie & Clyde bank robbery, and Ruby’s Lounge, a local landmark eatery.
The White Pole Road runs through town and racing buffs will want to check out the Stuart International Speedway.
Good Egg Days is held every June.
