Location - This site is located near the town of Victor, in far eastern Poweshiek County, and is along Old Highway 6. To reach the site, proceed west from Victor on Old Highway 6/ F29. The prairie area begins approximately three quarters of a mile west of town and continues for a mile. Another way to approach the remnant is to proceed south from Highway 6 on 230th street, turning east when you reach F29/ Old Highway 6 after about a mile and a half. The remnant area is along the north side of the highway from the point where you turn left (east) for about a mile and a quarter.
The town of Victor is on the county line between Iowa and Poweshiek Counties. In 1881, the author of the History of Iowa County noted the great change that had occurred to the prairie landscape since the first land had been purchased in the early 1850s, noting that, "a little over a fourth of a century ago the deer and the wolf . . . roamed undisturbed over these wide prairies which are now dotted over with evidences of civilization, and show the handiwork of the husbandman."
Compass plant, which grows here, had a variety of folk uses among the early settlers. It could be used to induce vomiting as a medical treatment, used to treat dry skin, or as a laxative, when boiled as tea. It was also used to treat arthritis. The young leaves of the Compass plant could be used in salads. The Meskwaki, historically, picked out the gum that came from the stalks of this plant and used it as chewing gum. The common name for this plant was developed by settlers because of the north and south alignment of its leaves, which could be used as a "compass" on cloudy days. The scientific name of this plant is Silphium laceratum. Silphium is a Greek word referring to the resinous juice, while laciniatum is Latin for "slashed" or "lacerated" and refers to the plant's cut leaves.
Golden alexanders, also found growing here, were traditionally used to treat fevers. The pulverized root of this plant was also used to treat sharp pains. The scientific name for this plant is Zizia aurea. "Zizia" is in honor of botanist Johann Baptist Ziz (1779-1829), while "aurea" is Latin for "golden yellow."
The best time to visit this site is in the summer, when a profusion of Purple coneflowers, Rattlesnake master, Blazing star and Compass plant may be seen.
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