Step back in time at Heritage Canyon, a 12-acre wooded wonderland that transports you to the 1800s.

In its early days, from the mid-1800s to 1954, this site was a bustling limestone quarry, supplying rock for various purposes like field fertilizer, road construction, and levees. Trucks, trains, and river barges were the workhorses of this operation, carting away the valuable resource.

Unfortunately, by 1954, the quarry had to be abandoned due to the damaging effects of dynamiting sound blasts on both sides of the river. What was once a thriving hub became an eyesore, cluttered with junk and dilapidated shacks, until 1967.

In a turning point, Harold and Thelma Wierenga took the reins in 1967, transforming the old machine shop into a functional workshop and crafting their home on the site of the original rock crusher. Their vision? Preserve Midwestern history with meticulous attention to detail and authenticity, all while treading lightly on nature.

After Harold’s passing in 1999, his daughter and son-in-law lovingly tended to the canyon for several years. Yet, the task proved too much for the couple, leading to a shift in ownership to the City of Fulton in 2005. In 2007, Thelma Wierenga passed away, leaving behind a touching memorial near the Canyon’s entrance. Today, the canyon thrives under the watchful eye of an on-site caretaker, a dedicated public works team, and the passionate Early American Crafters. Explore this living testament to our rich heritage.