top of page

Stopping Points

Towns Along the Trail (north to south)

Council Bluffs

      Population: 62,799 (2020 Census)


French and Spanish explorers and traders were in Council Bluffs for almost a century before the Lewis and Clark expedition stayed five days at White Catfish Camp, known today as Long's Landing. Lewis and Clark later met with Missouri Indians and Otoe Indians 10 miles north of Omaha. This historic council in the bluffs provided the model for future meetings with Indians and the name of our city. The history of Council Bluffs glitters with a parade of famous western explorers, fur traders, military figures, engineers, and great Indian nations. Abraham Lincoln had the foresight to realize Council Bluffs should be the eastern terminus of the transcontinental railroad. Known as the Gateway of the American West, Council Bluffs has a proud and rich history. Today, Council Bluffs' businesses make a national and international impact. Local industry includes frozen foods, robotics, dairy products, plastics, railroading, electrical products, and pork and beef packaging, among many other industries. Recent changes in state law allowed gambling expansion, boosting the local economy and providing hundreds of new jobs.  Council Bluffs is the Pottawattamie County Seat.  Connected to the Omaha metro area (population ~1 million), you’re only a short distance away from the acclaimed Henry Doorly Zoo, Eppley Airfield, TD Ameritrade Park (Home of the Men’s NCAA College World Series), and much more.

Mineola

      Population: 154 (2020 Census)


Mineola is an unincorporated village in Mills County.  This community on the highlands east of Keg Creek was first established as Lewis City during construction of the Wabash Railroad. The land had previously been owned by German immigrant freighter Louis Lanz and Germans long dominated the community. St. John's Lutheran Church was established in 1883 on the hill overlooking town. The original church closely mirrored the church at Giekau in Schleswig-Holstein from where many settlers had originated. During the early 20th century Mineola had grown into an important local shipping point with an opera house, hotel, the Mills County German Bank, and other associated businesses. The present Mineola Community Center began as Joe Deitchler's pool hall in 1916 and was converted into the Palisades Ballroom in 1934 by Roy Wasserman. The Palisades featured a variety of famous performers, including the Lloyd Hunter Orchestra of North Omaha, Nebraska, and Lawrence Welk, along with movies, bingo, and school programs with a saloon and lunchroom in front. Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse keeps the town lively and serves lunch and supper.  Mineola is the first major stop on the Wabash Trace southeast of Council Bluffs, and long-time home of the infamous “Thursday Night Taco Ride”.

Silver City

      Population: 245 (2020 Census)


Silver City had its start in the year 1879 by the building of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway (which would later become the Wabash Trace).  Silver City was named for Silver Creek, which runs along the east side of town.  Downtown features a small park with a gazebo, a library, fire department, and a bar & restaurant that is for sale if you know anyone looking!  Mari Jo with Happy Trails Cycle recently retired (another business opportunity!), but still puts daily trail condition updates on their Facebook Page!  Silver City was the original destination for the Taco Ride nearly 20 years ago, but it was changed to Mineola due to a business closure at the time.  Silver City has an active Historical Society and Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings in the summer.

Malvern

Imogene

      Population: 1,046 (2020 Census)


The town of Malvern was founded in the year 1869, originally as Milton. It was later renamed after it was discovered that another Milton, Iowa existed.  The completion of the railroad soon brought a flood of new residents and business enterprises and Malvern grew almost explosively in its first two years. In its fifth year, Malvern reported a population of 800.  It served a particularly productive farming area and soon had a number of factories, including a hog packing plant, an electric generation plant (in 1892) which permitted a municipal water system, and in the early part of the twentieth century, developed a varied poultry industry that at one time furnished employment for up to 200 persons. Malvern started a school system in 1870, a county fair in 1873 (although not the county seat), a Chautauqua in 1905, built the town library in 1916 and the present Liberty Memorial Community Building in 1926. Today Malvern is a growing rural community with much to offer. Population in Mills County is growing at one of the top ten rates across the state of Iowa.  Malvern, Iowa is situated just 38 miles southeast of Omaha.  Malvern boasts a revitalized downtown, with many businesses including Mulholland Grocery, Tee'd Up Tavern, Classic Cafe & Catering, Salty Heifer Cafe, Mezzo Bar, Wabash Coffee Company, Kohll's Pharmacy, Malvern Bank, Breezy Acres Guitar, Fine Arts on Fifth, and more.  The community has embraced the arts, which you can see from the various public art displays throughout the town, the Art Church, and their many community music events.  There is a city pool, library, and 9-hole public golf course.  Malvern has overnight accommodations at the Malvern Depot, Art Church, Art House, and a guest cottage just south of town (all available on Airbnb.com), in addition to camping at Boehner Park and the Fairgrounds.  SWINT's "World Headquarters" is located along the trail, next to the Malvern Depot, and hosts occasional office hours and merchandise sales.

      Population: 39 (2020 Census)


The western exodus of Irish and Germans from the Zwingle/Dubuque area of Iowa to “Little Ireland” in Monroe Township began in the 1870s.  More settlers came with the railroad.  Captain Anderson obtained township papers on November 6, 1879 for 160 acres owned by Edgar Faust and named the town after his daughter Imogene.  Imogene wasn’t actually incorporated until February 18, 1881.  By 1890, the population was at 400.  When 1900 dawned, several blocks of businesses made Imogene a vibrant community.  Facing many of the same challenges as other communities, Imogene has  a current population around 39.  Despite a smaller town population, the greater community of Imogene is experiencing a revitalization, with city-wide preservation efforts, Historic St. Patrick Catholic Church, Imogene Ballfield Complex, King’s Cottage, Baile Market, Shamrock Theater, Irish Rose Forest, and expansion at the Wabash Trace Trailhead campground.  The Emerald Isle is currently closed, so pack your own food & drink or join in one of the many town celebrations (most notably, St. Patrick's Day - weekend before March 17th, and Shamrock Days & HO-TU Music Festival - second weekend in July).

Shenandoah

      Population: 4,925 (2020 Census)


Shenandoah was incorporated in 1871, on the very western edge of Page County.  Dubbed ‘the city with energy’…..a beautiful garden city with renewable fuels production and plenty to energize the spirit….recreation, shopping, dining and more. Shenandoah is a progressive bustling community full of entrepreneurs, industry, opportunity, gardens, art, and friendly people. Its unique shops and restaurants have made it the retail hub of southwest Iowa. Under current renovation downtown is the Iowa Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame highlights over 120 famous Iowans from around the state on sidewalk tiles. Stop by the Chamber office at 710 W. Sheridan Ave. for a guidebook filled with biographies of each famous Iowan.  You can also tour the Shenandoah Historical Museum, Wabash Arts Camp Murals, Park Gardens planted by the Home & Garden Club, and the Everly Brothers childhood home. Residents of Shenandoah are proud of these local attractions and hope visitors take time to visit and enjoy!  Shenandoah Inn & Suites is a great locally-owned hotel right in the heart of downtown.  Shenandoah's population is small enough to escape the hassles of the big cities, yet big enough to provide all the services you might need.  It's also close enough to metropolitan areas and airports for convenience. In the past it's been the home of the famous singing Everly Brothers and Blackwood Brothers, and nursery giants like Earl May, Henry Field, and many more. 

Coin

      Population: 176 (2020 Census)


Like many of the other railroad towns, Coin was founded in 1879.  The local Volunteer Fire Department is active and hosts many fundraising dinners annually.  Unfortunately the bar & restaurant in town is still closed, so pack along drinks and snacks you might need for the southern end of the trail.  The City Park at the Wabash Trace Trailhead features restrooms and showers for campers, contact Coin City Hall for entry.  

Blanchard

      Population: 29 (2020 Census)​


Blanchard is “The End of the Trail” as it exists, stopping right at the Missouri border.  The population in Blanchard is around 29.  While there have been cafes in the past, currently Blanchard still has its Post Office, but no retail or convenience stores, so pack in any drinks or snacks.  Rudy and Wendy Brownfield have purchased the land at the end of the trail and are making improvements, including the availability of primitive camping, which is encouraged.  At one point there was an effort to extend the trail into Missouri and connect to Maryville.  Unfortunately, after the reversion of the railroad right-of-way to the adjacent landowners that became a nearly impossible task.  While portions could have been secured, there wouldn’t have been complete connectivity.  This is where the importance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is very clear – without their assistance in acquiring and railbanking the Iowa portion the Wabash Trace would not exist today. 

bottom of page