Historic Preservation Quiz

How much do you know about historic preservation and Ottumwa history? Here's a fun quiz to test your knowledge.

1. To be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a property normally must be at least how old? Answer
   a. 50 years old
   b. 100 years old
   c. 150 years old
2. If your property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, . . . Answer
   a. you cannot alter its exterior without first submitting a renovation plan.
   b. you can do whatever you want with the listed property if you haven't received Federal funds for renovation.
   c. you must allow visitors to tour your property.
3. Who is Wapello County, Iowa named after? Answer
   a. General Sherman S. Wapello
   b. Carmen Wapello, a land developer
   c. Wapello, Chief of the Sac tribe
4. What river runs through Ottumwa? Answer
   a. Wapello River
   b. Ottumwa River
   c. Des Moines River
5. Identify the picture to the right. Answer
   a. Part of Wapello County Courthouse front door arch
   b. Part of Edgerly Gateway entrance to Ottumwa Cemetery
   c. Entrance arch to the Ottumwa Library

Answers

1. To be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a property normally must be at least how old?
   Answer: a. 50 years - A property must typically be at least 50 years old to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
2. If your property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places,...
   Answer: b. you can do whatever you want with the listed property if you haven't received Federal funds for renovation. - Unless you have received federal funding to restore your historic property, there are no restrictions on what you can do with your property, even though it may be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
3. Who is Wapello County, Iowa named after?
   Answer: c. Wapello, Chief of the Sac tribe - The county is named for a chief of the Sac tribe, Chief Wapello. A statue of him sits high atop the Wapello County Courthouse. In 1838 Chief Wapello moved his village from Muscatine to the Des Moines River just south of Ottumwa. He was a powerful ruler among his people and a good friend of the white man. Wapello was born about 1787 at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He died March 15, 1842 near the forks of the Skunk River while on a hunting trip.
4. What river runs through Ottumwa?
   Answer: c. Des Moines River - The Des Moines River runs diagonally through downtown Ottumwa. The Des Moines River empties into the Mississippi River approximately 100 miles downstream at Keokuk, Iowa.
5. Identify the picture to the right.
   Answer: a. Part of Wapello County Courthouse front door arch - The photo shows a close-up of the main entrance to the Wapello County Courthouse.

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