About this city
Boone is a deeply historic, rugged railroading and coal-mining city situated on the high prairie uplands directly overlooking the spectacular, deeply carved Des Moines River Valley. Founded in 1865 along the rapid expansion of the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company railroad, it was named to honor Nathan Boone, the son of the legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone. The town expertly preserves its grand steam-era rail history and frontier heritage, serving as the birthplace of former U.S. First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
Ride a vintage coal-fired train across the jaw-dropping 156-foot high bridge via the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, tour Mamie Doud Eisenhower's Birthplace, and hike the rugged trails at Ledges State Park.
