Jesse James Historical Site

Nice little detour off I-80 to an historical site. This is located on a rural road just a few minutes from I-80 and the Town of Adair. There is a long, narrow, sloped, driveway to keep cars off the road. You can drive right up to the marker and section of train track. There is a stand to hold your phone so you can take a selfie. Be sure to stand your phone up straight and not lean it top far for the best shot!

Less than 2 miles off I-80. Cool little stop to take a selfie. They even have a little shelf to do that. I had a nice history lesson with my daughter about who Jesse James was because she had no idea. Fun time to start a conversation while driving across Iowa.

This was cool. We found it along the roadside on our way cross country from Maryland to Nebraska for a National hockey tournament. It was interesting and alot of fun for the kids. Plan on about 20 minutes here.

Fun little stop for some random history. Make sure you know what exit to look for as there are no signs for this on I-80.

Accidently found this place while in Iowa. Was awesome to see though, highly recommend seeing if your ever out in Adair,IA.

Worth the brief hop off the interstate to get here. Cool little piece of US history!

Cool little spot. The more ya know.. also their is an older article that describes the grasses of the prairie. Pretty neat.

I had no idea this was here except that I was looking at a map at the rest stop on the interstate. Who would have thought they would mark where the first train robbery took place. It takes 5 seconds to stop by and it was only 1 mile off the interstate.

Pretty cool, but check for ticks!!

This was a nice place to stop and stretch my legs after a long day on the road. Then I noticed the date on the plaque-July 21, 1873. I stopped there on July 21, 2022, so I was only 149 years late to witness this event.

I visited this first as a kid on a weekend vacation with extended family who were (and are for those remaining) rail-fans. Although the rail line had been adjusted years ago, you could still “feel” the history here. It’s a site that I plan on returning to.

There isn't much to it, but it's fun to imagine the train robbery that took place here.

Awesome spot to take a break and some pictures

Dandy little piece of history. Stop and take a look. Geocache nearby.

Don't miss this stop! Cool to see a historical location!

It was a fun little stop. Though I've been by it before I didn't know what it was and found it quite surprising. My dad has always said Jesse James' first train robbery was around here but I didn't realize that was it. The park itself is cute. The piece of train track does a good job of illustrating how the robery would have worked, and the story on the information board tells you what happened and why. There is also information on prairie land plants and the hillside has been reclaimed as natural prairie with a host of interesting plants. The cutest thing, though, might be the selfie station where they've made a shelf across from the plaque where you can set your phone on a timer to take a group pic. It's a nice touch.

If your passing through and need a place for a break or to stretch your legs for a minute stop here.

If you are a lover of Old West history like I am, put this on your day trip list! I had no idea this was even here. I found it while on Goggle Earth just exploring. It's a bit off the beaten trail, but worth it! We made a day trip this summer. We made a picnic lunch under the shade of the big elm and maple trees. So peaceful too, Iowa is very beautiful and green this time of year. We liked to imagine what it looked like during Jesse James's days. Certainly not corn fields all around, all virgin prairie no doubt!

Not much to see just interesting because of the history of what took place here.

Just right off the freeway and this is history guys!!! The legendary Jesse James! Can't give this little spot any less than 5 stars! Experience it, worth the couple minute side trip!