Adair: Local History and Transportation Heritage

Adair brings together local history and transportation themes by road and rail. There are several points of interest to consider when planning your trip: a campground in Adair City Park, the White Pole Road Scenic Byway, and historic sites connected to the railroad. A local landmark and a restaurant add local orientation and dining to these themes.

Campground and Landmark

The Adair Campground is located in Adair City Park. If camping is part of your overnight plans, its exact location within the city is clear: the campground is in the city park. Adair’s skyline is also shaped by the Adair Smiley Face Water Tower, a local landmark built in 1937. The water tower adds a historic connection to the town to the practical campground information.

White Pole Road and Railroad History

Over 26 miles, the White Pole Road Scenic Byway connects Adair, Casey, Menlo, Stuart, and Dexter. Its length and the five communities give the byway a regional scope. It explores transportation history and its effects on life in Iowa’s rural towns.

About 1.5 miles west of Adair is Jesse James Historical Park. The seven-acre park includes restored prairie. A large locomotive wheel and a plaque mark the site where the James-Younger Gang carried out the world’s first train robbery of a moving train on July 21, 1873. The restored prairie adds a landscape connection to the historic site.

The Adair Viaduct

The Adair Viaduct adds engineering to the transportation themes. In Iowa, it is considered a well-preserved example of a rare structural type. A structure is the construction that supports a building and takes and transfers loads. So a rare structural type refers to the way it is built, not just to the structure’s function.

Comparing Transportation Themes

The transportation themes differ in scale: the byway offers a view of five communities and the effects of transportation on their rural life; Jesse James Historical Park connects an event to a specific place and date; and the Adair Viaduct focuses on a rare structural form. Together, they offer perspectives ranging from a regional context to a historic event and a method of construction. The dates also provide two historical reference points: the train robbery dates to 1873, and the water tower was built in 1937. The event and the construction history thus stand side by side as two chronological reference points in the town’s history.

Dining in Adair

The Chuckwagon Restaurant in Adair serves hearty American fare, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads. If you would like to include the restaurant in your day’s plans, check that it is open before you travel.

For the broader travel overview: Adair County.