Wednesday - July 23, 2008 - 03:23 pm CST
Houghton
West Point is located near Fort Madison. It has a population of 1,079 which makes it the third largest city in Lee County. The Sweet Corn Festival is usually the 2nd weekend in August. Approximately 10,000-12,000 people attend.
Historical Significance
- It is the site of the First Lee County Court House and the foundation was laid in 1841.
- It has the oldest Presbyterian church in Iowa, organized June 24, 1837. It was also the first brick church building in Iowa.
- First Catholic Church was organized in 1842 and the frame Church began the same year. The Brick Church building was built in 1858.
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The original Brink's General Merchandise store was established in 1861 by Herman Brink.
Originally built in 1845 as the Planter's House Hotel, at the southeast corner of the square, this impressive building later became a butcher shop.
The view of the south side of the square as it appeared in 1910 shows the large brick building on the right which was Theodore Brink's store, once the largest general merchandise store in West Point. The tall building housed John Shadwell's Farmers and Cititzens State Bank and beside it can be seen the sign of the Pogge family tavern, named, "The Old Reliable Place." Courtesy of the West Point Public Library.
Other Information about West Point:
Census Information
Retail Trade Data
Photos are from Lee County, Iowa A Pictorial History-by Jerry Sloat