| The 344 acre park is located in Iowa's unique Loess Hills. The area was
once the town of Preparation. Charles B Thompson left a Mormon wagon train to Utah
after hearing from the "Spirit" in 1853. The Mormon leader led 50
to 60 Mormon families to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs. Thompson then selected an
area and organized the town of Preparation. In the name of the spirit he called
"Beneemy". Thompson appointed himself leader of the group. His
followers turned over all deeds and possessions to him and he became quite wealthy.
He directed his followers to call him "Father Ephriam". His people asked
for return of their property in 1856. Thompson refused and to dodge a hanging
by his followers, he fled the state. At one point, Preparation had 67 houses, a post
office, skating rink, and blacksmith shop. The town had faded by 1900, and
the last business, a stockyard operation closed in 1946. 62 acres of land, a
part of Preparation, was sold to the state of Iowa in 1934. Another 157 acres
was acquired in 1969. |
