Bonebright Park Historic Site Webster City Iowa By G.C. Stevens

 

The inscription on the monument reads: 

Bonebright Park 185-1860

homesite of the Wilson Brewer first white settler in Webster City

a sanctuary for pioneer travelers.

Park given in his memory by his heirs.

Monument placed by Women's Patriotic Orders

Bonebright Park in Webster City, Iowa, is another hidden gem in Iowa that isn't advertised as tourist spot, but it most certainly should be on the list of places to see for local history buffs. This site is significant local history. It is also called the Wilson Brewer Historic Park Village (located at 220 Ohio Street).   

​The park's story is deeply tied to the pioneer families who founded Webster City. Originally, and according to online resources the land was donated to the city by the family of Frank Bonebright, a grandson of Wilson Brewer—the very first pioneer settler to stake a claim and build a cabin in the area in 1850–1851. Because of this family donation, the grounds were historically and colloquially referred to by locals as Bonebright Park, though its official modern designation heavily highlights the Wilson Brewer Historic Park Village name.  

​Today, the 9-acre site functions as an open-air living history museum that preserves Hamilton County's 19th-century frontier, prairie, and railroad heritage. The key historic structures and artifacts preserved at the park include:  The Pioneer Log Cabins 

 

​The Wilson Brewer / Alexander Groves Cabin: This structure includes the original log cabin erected by pioneer Wilson Brewer, which was the first building constructed in what became Webster City. It was later meticulously restored by Frank Bonebright.  

​The Jameson Log Cabin: Another authentic early pioneer cabin that was moved to the site to represent the hardscrabble living conditions of early westward expansion. 

                        

                                      The 1866 Hamilton County Courthouse

​This is the second-oldest original county courthouse building still standing in the state of Iowa. The two-story timber structure features a restored second-floor courtroom and first-floor exhibits dedicated to early county governance and pioneer legal history.  

​

                                 

 

The Illinois Central Railroad Depot & Caboose

​**1901 Wooden Depot: This classic turn-of-the-century timber depot was moved to the park to preserve the community's rich rail history. Today, the depot interior serves as a local history museum, packing a diverse assortment of Hamilton County artifacts, pioneer tools, and an extensive collection of Native American relics.  

​IC Railroad Caboose: Parked right alongside the depot is an authentic, preserved Illinois Central caboose.  

                         

​ Historic Country Buildings

​**Harmony Center School (1914): A fully restored one-room country schoolhouse that offers an immersive look at early 20th-century rural education, complete with period desks and blackboards.  

​Mulberry Center Church (1890s): The oldest standing country church in Hamilton County, moved to the park grounds to preserve its classic late-19th-century frontier church architecture. It features a simple, elegant interior and is still utilized for special community events and weddings.   

 Early Industrial Artifacts

​The park grounds house massive remnants of early frontier industry, notably a giant turbine wheel salvaged from Lyman Perry’s Mill (often connected to the historic Bell's Mill and Bone's Mill history along the Boone River). When these river mills ceased operation, one wheel went to Bell's Mill Park and the other was moved here to Bonebright Park.  

​Other Information:

​The historical village site is well maintained and connected by smooth, hard-surfaced walking trails making it easy to stroll between buildings. The outdoor grounds and park areas are open year-round, while the historic interiors and museum spaces are typically open for guided tours and educational programs from May through October. The park also hosts community heritage gatherings, such as the annual Wilson Brewer Park Fall Fest.

                                       *Unless otherwise stated all photos are by the author 

Crossing the Frontier 1839 a Letter Home: By G.C. Stevens

 

Photo courtesy of the library of congress

Crossing the open frontier was a taunting task fraught with danger. But the hope of a better life drew settlers further west. Letters written home to relatives told the tales of the hardships and triumphs of spirit of the early settlers. One such letter was written by pioneer John Morgan. They original letter (copied below) was difficult to read due to the fading and cursive style used. The author of this article highlights what could be deciphered. Question marks (?) appear where words could nor be read.

CROSSING FROM TENNESEE TO MISSOURI

Dear Mother, I have taken my pen in hand to write you a few lines hoping these lines may find you in the same state of health, we landed on tolerable well. We came to the Ohio bank it was a very good river, very sandy, and we had to wade the water. I walked on with the children & Jonathan. John is a little restless. The 1st day Mr. Morgan was very sick. A week after we got home 3 days we crossed a stream but we rolled through it and came on travelling hard things and worst coming. We landed at the Mississippi River and crossed next morning at Greens Ferry. Mr. Morgan Reuben Simpson went a cross & I staid 3 days & pole William Morgan. They are all well at this time. One of the children died in the travel. We want you to send for mother Morgan. I hear the land and the richest land we ever saw is the Mississippi bottoms. 

                

                       Jackson Morgan and Susan Turner Morgan approx. 1839               

We would a settled here but the water was very bad it was very sickly. The 2d Sunday in travelling the wagon turned us side down a bank. Every thing is in good order in it notwithstanding the Reuven family is hearty. Adams is as far as far as one they are beware well all aged I will tell you in the next letter while whether I am please or not. We are on rented land at this time. There is 15 acres of cleared land. Give the (?) as naught it best for a snow. Our [?] makes this his home & is trading & [?] bought charge with 50 [?]. The place we expect to settle is 2 miles below Mr. [Cumings?] on Beaver Creek a branch bottom 175 acres a first rate spring.

Mr. Morgan is again to help Reuben Clear and wants to clear  as much as we can find and Clear. There is a good , 300 acres spring & a plenty of timber. The beloved place is from 50 to 375 . It is said to be better than to settle there. Really for there is not much land that can be settled only one there every  of  on the  I . I never saw [?] I make choice [?] or on the account of larger bodies of land and it can be there [?]. I have not looked [?] much [faded] going over on white river. The great bodies of land it is said that there can be 1000 acres in it. 7 hundred acres of corn it is supposed to be. it is 2 or 30 miles [?]. In last year there can be a good. made in this settlement if any minister should happen in. There was preaching  here the 7th of this month. The people [?] and an [?]. By [?] I am in [?]. [faded] horse I always [?] 20 head of hogs we bought corn [?] [?] he has sold 200 [?] worth [?]. I have cut and made 1 coat it is first [?] [?] another in the house to make. The drought was great the crops was short but on the [?] and very [?] [faded] year there is a long [?]. They [?] [faded] I have a [?] [faded] [?] I [?] [faded] [?] [faded]. [more about expenses, horses, etc.]

They sell from 12 to 15 [?]. They are doing well [faded]. [mentions working, family members like Jerry, etc.]

Closing section:

... The post office is kept at the mouth of [?] [faded]

[Signed] John Morgan

                                                        Letter courtesy Patrick Meguair

250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY