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Recreation
& Cultural Activities
Check Out The Cherokee Aquatics Center Website
 Click here
Sites
& Attractions
 For
visitors and residents alike, the Cherokee area
has many points of interest to all walks of life.
From historic sites to parks, Cherokee's rich cultural
heritage lends a distinct flavor to recreation in
the county. This page features the main attractions
this region has to offer. If you are planning on
visiting, please click
here for a list of lodgings. Click
here for a listing of churches.
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The
Little Sioux River & the Inkpaduta Canoe Trail
From Spencer to Smithland, the Inkpaduta Canoe Trail
follows the meandering Little Sioux River through
six northwest Iowa counties, including Cherokee. This
river is the largest interior stream of the Missouri
River watershed in Iowa, draining more than 3,100
square miles. The Little Sioux offers the canoeist
excellent fishing and scenic opportunities. It is
a typical prairie stream, sharply meandering with
a sand, mud and gravel bottom, and high mud banks
throughout most of its course. The river current is
quite slow, as the rate of fall averages only two
feet per mile. The stream rarely exceeds 100 feet
in width. Whether you are interested in a 2-3 day
canoe-camping trip, or simply a 3-4 hour leisurely
float, the Inkpaduta Canoe Trail offers numerous recreational
opportunities, combined with a variety of local history. |
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Cherokee
County Park System
Ginger Walker
Conservation Director
712-225-6709
629 River Road
Cherokee County has over 1,000 acres of land devoted
to parks that are managed by the Cherokee County
Conservation Board. These parks vary in development
from modern camping sites with electricity to natural
areas with no facilities at all. The diversity of
parks available allows residents and visitors to
enjoy the individual advantages of each.
The
majority of the parks in Cherokee County are close
to the Little Sioux River. Almost all of the river
parks offer foot access to the river, and some offer
a canoe or boat ramp. Fishing is popular at each
of the river parks, and anglers can look forward
to strikes from catfish and walleye, among other
species.
 Camping,
picnicking, hiking, and horseback riding are all
popular activities in warm weather. Martin and Silver
Sioux Recreation Areas have baseball diamonds ready
for use, as well. During the winter, several parks
offer groomed cross-country skiing trails. The trails
are designed so that the beginning skier and the
more experienced visitors can find challenges suited
to their ability. Other winter activities include
hunting, which is allowed at most parks, ice fishing
at Spring & Larson Lakes, and snowmobiling on
the Little Sioux River.
Cherokee
Parks and Recreation Department
530 West Bluff Street
Cherokee, IA
Recreation
Coordinator
Dan Rollison
712-225-2715
Parks Superintendent
Duane Mummert
712-225-3108
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Sanford
Museum
Located in the city of Cherokee, the Sanford
Museum and Planetarium was made possible through
a trust fund established by the late Mrs. W.A. Sanford
of Cherokee. The trust fund reflected the wishes
of both Mrs. Sanford and her husband, a long time
banker, that a museum should be built in memory
of their only child, Tiel, who died in his twenties.
It
was their intention to create a charitable trust
for historical, cultural and educational purposes
that was to be free and open to the public.
The
facility was officially opened to the public in
1951, and was Iowa's first accredited museum. Since
then, more than one million visitors have reviewed
exhibits, attended demonstrations, and taken part
in a wide variety of activities.
The
Sanford Museum Association is an organization of
volunteers who contribute time and money to enrich
the offerings of the Sanford Museum and Planetarium.
Working in cooperation with museum officials, the
association hosts exhibits, lectures, and demonstrations,
sponsors programs of research, and purchases museum
equipment and library books.
Museum
hours are 9am to 5pm (Mon-Fri) and 12pm to 5pm (Sat-Sun).
Admission is free. For more information please call
(712) 225-3922.
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Cherokee
Public Library
The Cherokee Public Library was established in 1886
by a group of twelve women. In 1905 a grand opening
was held for a city building that was the result
of a $12,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
In October of 1998 another grand opening was held
to celebrate the renovation of the original library
building and the addition of 7,000 more square feet.
The library houses print collections of books, children's
books, magazines, large print books, newspapers,
and board books for preschoolers. Non-print collections
include audio books on tape, videos, and multimedia
combinations for children. Thirteen Internet computers
are available for the public, and the library staff
offers computer classes on a regular basis. The
children's department has an active schedule that
includes preschool story time, Toddler Teddy Bear
Gang, the After School Bunch, Readers R Us, Family
Night, a summer reading program, and other special
events. Fax service and tax forms are also available.
For
more information call 712-225-3498
Address: 215 S. 2nd St., Cherokee, IA 51012
Director: Mary Jo Ruppert
Children's Librarian: Mary Borgheiinck-Kranig
Technical Services: Judy Grienke Miller
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Cherokee
Area Archives
The Cherokee Area Archives is a non-profit organization
located in the Cherokee Public Library building.
It is dedicated to preserving local historical and
genealogical material. The Archive's resources are
available to the public Monday-Friday from 1:30
pm - 4 pm or by special appointment. It is staffed
by volunteers.
For
more information call 712-225-3498
Address: 215 S. 2nd St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Board President: Delores Richardson
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Cherokee
County Senior Center Citizen Center
The Cherokee County Senior Center meets five days
a week in the lower level of the Cherokee Community
Center. The Senior Citizens would like to invite everyone
to join them for congregate meals (catered by Hy-Vee
Food Store), companionship, stereo music, crafts,
cards cribbage, poetry, dancing, and parties. They
hold a Dance on the second Thursday of every month.
Birthdays are celebrated on the third Thursday at
the noon meal. Minibus rides are available. For further
information contact Margaret Mesmer, 225-4905. |
Cherokee
Country Club
The Cherokee Country Club is a challenging nine-hole
course in a natural setting. The layout of the course and landscaping allow the natural weeds, wildflowers and beautiful habitat to coexist with lush green fairways. The contour of the course is hilly on the holes down to the base and basically flat down at the bottom. A creek runs through the middle of three holes and sand guards two greens. The upper level of the clubhouse has a dining area, dance floor and lounge. The lower level contains the golfing lounge and pro shop. The course is home to the Annual Sioux Valley Amateur Match Play Tournament held on the third weekend in June since 1934. |
Wellness Center
The Wellness
Center offers a swimming pool, 2 racquetball courts,
a basketball court, locker rooms, a recreation room
and a walking track. The Wellness Center
is enjoyed by all ages, and the community benefits from a healthier lifestyle. |
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Lily
of the Valley #5 One-Room School/Living History
Center
Located at, 2020 Hwy 3 Bypass, Cherokee, Lily
of the Valley #5, a one-room school, is being restored
on the campus of the Western Hills Area Education
Agency in Cherokee in partnership with the community.
The school will be a living history center for children,
to preserve and promote Iowa's educational heritage.
The
school is estimated to have been built between 1890
and 1902. Originally located south of Moville, Ia,
the school was in operation until 1956. Most recently
the school was located at Copeland Park in Correctionville,
Ia.
Activities
include school field trips, adult programs and tours.
The school was recently renovated with a new roof
and lighting.
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Depot
Renovation, Inc.
The Depot Renovation, Inc., is a group of volunteers
who are working to preserve an important part of
Cherokee's history, the Illinois Central Railroad
Depot, located at 119 South 4th Street.
As
the railroad was the key reason for the growth of
Cherokee, the depot and entire railroad complex
are listed in the National Register of Historic
Places. The Depot Renovation Group, with the aid
of memberships, donations, and grants, has purchased
the depot from the city and added a caboose to the
area. Future plans include the establishment of
a Northwest Iowa Railroad Museum and more rental
space for retail shops. Summer events have included
a Fine Arts Fair, flea markets, farmers' markets,
and an Arts and Crafts Fair. For more information contact Jim Adamson at 712-225-4664 or 712-279-4502.
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Cherokee
Symphony Association
Three concerts are given each season ... a Pops
concert in the fall, the MidWinter Concert in February
and the Young Artists' Concert in March or April.
Concerts are held on Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m.
at the Cherokee Community Center.
Cherokee
is very proud of the Cherokee Symphony, an outstanding
musical organization with a 44-year tradition. Having
a first-rate symphony orchestra is indeed unique
for a community the size of Cherokee. It was co-founded
in 1956 by Merle Robinson of Cherokee and Delia
Beth Thomson of Cleghorn.
The
orchestra provides the community with the highest
quality musical entertainment while giving musicians
in the area a semi-professional outlet for their
talents. This 60-member orchestra has been referred
to as "the best kept secret in Iowa."
Lee
Thorson, a cellist and instructor from Rolfe, Iowa,
has been conductor since 1981. A long time member
of the Sioux City Symphony, he is currently an adjunct
faculty member at Buena Vista University in Storm
Lake, gives private lessons, and is a member of
the Plains Trio.
For
more information, contact:
Symphony Association
P.O. Box 25 Cherokee, IA 51012
Jim Mohn (712) 225-5893
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Cherokee
Community Theater
 In 1959, after two years of "theater" in Adult
Education and with the assistance of Professor Ronald
Gee of the University of Iowa, 50 area residents
formed the Cherokee Community Theater, Inc.
The
theater group has presented full-scale productions
plus melodramas and musicals, one act plays and
play readings. Each year more than 200 people volunteer
in some capacity to put on 4 shows. Income for the
Community Theater, which is a member of the Iowa
Community Theater Association, comes from ticket
sales, membership and program advertising. Season
tickets and reserved seats are available through
the box office at (712) 225-4440.
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American
Theater
Cherokee's movie theater, The American Theater,
is located downtown at 108 East Main Street in downtown.
For
more information on any of these sites or attractions,
please contact:
Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
416 W Main Street, Ste. I
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6414
Email: cofccherokee@ncn.net
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4-H
and Clover Kids Programs
Offered by the ISU Extension Office
209 Centennial Drive, Suite A
Cherokee, Ia 51102
(712) 225-6196
Brenda Welch - Program Assistant
Don Avis - Extension Director
Cherokee County Extension |
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Grand
Meadow Heritage Days
Annually, the weekend after Labor Day, residents
and visitors enjoy discovering and remembering the
life and times of yesteryear. Located south of Marcus
on County Road L36, the Grand Meadow Complex includes
a country school that houses a museum, a blacksmith
shop, a dentist's office and more.
Contact
Person:
Eleanor Sokolowski
712-376-2382
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Photo
by Roy Tucker
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County Parks Map -
Click Here
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