Guthrie County Historical Village
Started in 1968, the Guthrie County Historical Village is located on a beautiful 4.5-acre complex just south of Panora's Main Square and two blocks from Lenon Mill Park. The Historical Village promotes Iowa and Guthrie County history and features 10 buildings, including the Panora Depot, the first log house in Panora, the Cass #7 country school, and an original Milwaukee RR caboose.

1851 Log House
Constructed in 1851 by Abram Hurshe, this building was the first residence and supply store in Panora for Mr. Hurshe and Thomas Turner. The cabin changed hands many times over the years and underwent many additions and changes. The original log structure was discovered in 1977 when the house around it was being torn down. The log house was then moved to the Historical Village for preservation.

Milwaukee RR Depot
The Historical Village is also home to Panora's 1906 Milwaukee Railroad depot that was abandoned by the Railroad in 1968. The town's first depot was built in 1884, then replaced by a smaller building around 1890 that was then altered and enlarged to the present depot. The structure was moved to the Village in 1968.

For more information about the historical sites in Panora, please contact the Guthrie County Historical Village (641.755.2989 or gchv@netins.net) or visit their website: www.panora.org/museum

Lenon Mill Park and Wildlife Area
Nestled by the banks of the Middle Raccoon River you'll find the original site of the old Lenon Mill that was built in 1863. First built as a woolen mill but changed to a flour mill in 1877. After years of idleness, the mill was finally torn down in 1959. This charming park of 1236-acres is available for camping (including an RV hook-up, water, bathrooms, and a shelter house) and fishing, and has an access for canoes on the river.

Michael Mills Memorial Park
Michael Mills was the first Iowa soldier killed in Desert Storm, 1993. Michael was a graduate of Panora-Linden High School. The spacious memorial park includes a playground, water fountain, shelter and picnic benches, sand volleyball, two ball fields, and a soccer field.

Heritage Park
This small, but eye-catching, park is a nice resting spot along the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The park is located where the Panora Depot once sat along the tracks and includes a water fountain, shelter, and picnic benches.

 

Western Skies Scenic Byway
Experience rolling meadows, boundless horizons, and wide-open roads while traveling along Highway 44 through Guthrie County. The 140-mile byway is one of five designated routes across Iowa that reveals the true beauty of our state. Look for the Iowa Scenic Byway signs on each route.

Middle Raccoon River
The Middle Raccoon River is one of the most scenic and beautiful rivers in the state of Iowa and offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing and canoeing. In 1981, the Middle Raccoon River, starting from Lenon Mill Park to the Redfield Dam, was designated as one of only 5 protected water areas in the state of Iowa due to its natural, historical, and archaeological value.

S. E. Robinson Wildlife Area
This 1101-acre wildlife area is located along the Middle Raccoon River just 5.5 miles southeast of Panora. It is an excellent habitat for many native wildlife species, including deer, wild turkeys, pheasants, and quail, and is designated as a public hiking and hunting area.

Greenwood Cemetery Prairie
Just 3 small acres remain of an original prairie remnant that has never seen the plow. Sitting next to one of the older cemeteries in Guthrie County, the prairie is located 1 mile east of Panora and 1/2 miles south. A variety of native prairie grasses and flowers inhabit this spectacular site.

Bays Branch State Conservation
Bays Branch is a large 990-acre state wildlife area that offers excellent waterfowl and upland bird hunting. Bird-watching, such as geese, swans, and even endangered/high priority species, such as the black-billed cuckoo and the northern herrier, is also common. The area is located 2 miles north and 2 miles east of Panora.

Marlowe Ray Wildlife Area
Located 6 miles southeast of Panora along the Middle Raccoon River, this state wildlife area is 187-acres of heavily timbered land available for public hunting. The wildlife area adjoins with the S. E. Robinson Wildlife area.
 

Lake Panorama National Golf Course
Since its establishment in 1972, Lake Panorama National Golf Course has offered 18-holes of challenging golf to its players. One of the finest courses in Iowa, Lake Panorama National has hosted numerous events, including the Iowa Open. The course is open to the public and gladly accepts tee-time reservations over the phone.

Raccoon Ridge Music Hall
Located just a few miles south of Panora, IA, and just 45 minutes from Des Moines, Raccoon Ridge Music Hall is the area's largest and most modern facility of its kind. Remember to bring your own drink (alcohol ok for adults) and food, unless otherwise noted!

Every 3rd Saturday of the month - Chet & The Roadrunners , old country dance band. This is a feel-good, fun, friendly band. Every 4th Sunday 1-5 PM Country/Bluegrass Jam All jammers welcome! Movie night, karaoke, dances, and many, many bands for your entertainment. Check their online schedule for upcoming events.

Raccoon River Valley Trail
The Raccoon River Valley Trail is a 56-mile multi-use recreational trail that extends from Clive, in the Des Moines metropolitan area, to Jefferson. The trail is built on a former Milwaukee RR track now owned by the Dallas, Guthrie, and Greene County Conservation Boards. The trail winds its way through the Middle and North Raccoon River corridors with area of prairie and canopies of timber that remind us of what Iowa was like in the 1870s. Common uses are hiking, biking, in-line skating, jogging, bird watching, or cross-country skiing in the winter.

For more information about the parks, outdoors/wildlife, and recreation in Guthrie County, please contact the Guthrie County Conservation Board (641.755.3061 or gccb@netins.net) or visit their website: www.panora.org/gccb

See the Calendar for more events, dates, times, and locations.

Panorama Days - First Full Weekend of August

Friday Village Market
A Flea & Farmers' Market - Every Friday evening at the Guthrie County Historical Village in Panora, 5-7pm.

Panora Lights Up Town Square - First Saturday in December
Walking Tour of holidays lights, holiday music, soup supper, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Community Center/Town Square.

Camp Candy Cane - First Saturday in December
All for the kids - games, prizes, crafts, and a visit with Santa! Vet's Auditorium/Town Square