Events and Activities : COME SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THE BENTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROPERTIES

The Benton County Historical Society is pleased announce that in conjunction with the Chicago & North Western Historical Society roundtrip rail excursion from Waterloo-Vinton on June 8, 2013, the three Historical Society’s properties will be open to the public. The Ray House, the Horridge House and Depot will be open from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, June 8th.

It has been almost two years since the massive windstorm damaged much of Vinton. The Historical Society’s properties were not spared from the wind with the Horridge House seeing the most damage. While most of the repairs are completed at the Ray House and the Depot, the Horridge House is still under renovation and repair. The public is invited to reacquaint themselves with these Vinton gems, to see the ongoing work at the Horridge House and learn about the long term plans for the property.

The Ray House, located at 912 First Avenue, was built in 1894 by Frank G. Ray. Ray founded the US Bank of Vinton and helped establish the Kelley Canning Company, later known as the Iowa Canning Company located here in Vinton.

George Horridge built the house at 612 First Avenue around 1868. He crafted the pressed tin ceiling and walls in the kitchen and owned a hardware store. The genealogy department located at Horridge House is being reorganized and hopes to be open soon.

Train tickets are available at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust. Come and see the progress!!