Welcome to Bedford Iowa

Taylor County Courthouse

The cornerstone of this building was laid in June of 1892 and was completed the following spring. Many rooms in the courthouse have fireplaces; a spiral wrought iron staircase leads to the back of the courtroom. The clock in the dome and the building itself are illuminated at night. The clock is a Seth Thomas and only 82 of this model were built. The courthouse is a National Register historical landmark.

Bedford Carnegie Library

The Bedford Public Library, built in 1915, was a gift from Andrew Carnegie . The new library building was very stylish, faced in stucco, trimmed in brick with a red clay tile roof. The inside had two fireplaces with dark pine finished woodwork. It is one of 101 Carnegie Libraries built in Iowa.

The Library is no longer just books; it now is home to four public access computers with high speed internet connections. Other modern technology added recently is a new copier, fax machine, scanner, many new software programs and educational games. The library now houses more than books, it also contains a large genealogy collection.

Taylor County Museum

The Taylor County Museum boasts as being the largest, most active museum south of Living History Farms. The museum consists of several buildings, including the restored Lenox Round Barn. The Heritage Chapel is excellent for a small wedding - seats 12 and is available by appointment for weddings. The museum is open April 1 - December 24, Tuesday through Sunday 1-5 pm. The museum is operated by volunteers and admission is free. Donations help sustain this fine quality compound on a day to day basis. The museum is the perfect place for a trip down memory lane.

Bibbins Park

Bibbins Park is one of Bedford's many beautiful landmarks, located on State Street at the northeast edge of town. Many large oak trees in the park give visitors shade from the heat of summer, as well as pleasure from the beauty of the scenery. Bibbins Park features several locations of playground equipment, swimming pool, sand volleyball court, tennis court, basketball court, horseshoe and croquet courts, and of course, picnic areas and shelter houses.

The land in which Bibbins Park is located was donated to the city in 1912 by an early Bedford pioneer and business man, A.L. Bibbins. Bibbins was a well known druggist and also owned the Hotel Garland in the early 1900s.

Lake Of Three Fires State Park

Lake of Three Fires is located four miles northeast of Bedford. The lake is stocked with bass, channel cat, crappie and Tiger Muskie. Surrounding the lake are miles of trails for hiking. They have updated modern cabins and campgrounds as well as an equestrian area. Click here to read more about the Lake of Three Fires.

Antiques

Antiques and the town of Bedford have always seem to complement each other. Being one of the oldest communities in this part of the country, it just seems natural for a number of antique shops to exist.
Learn about our antique shops...

Hunting and Fishing

Bedford is located in the middle of some of the Midwest's finest hunting and fishing country. Hunters come from all over to partake in pheasant, quail, turkey and deer hunting.
Learn more about our hunting and fishing...

Iowa Hunting and Trapping Seasons:
http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/files/seasondates.html

Taylor County Fair

The Taylor County Fair is held the 3^rd full week-end in July with popular attractions such as the Tractor Pull, Bull Riding and Demolition Derby.
Learn more about the Taylor County Fair...

http://www.taylorcountyfair.net

http://www.southernexposurestourism.com/bedford07.html

Learn more about Color My World Daylily Gardens...

Rainbow Iris Farm is nestled in the gently rolling hills of southwest Iowa joined by the bluebirds, bobolinks, and prairie.
Learn more about Bedford in Bloom...