Great Western Trail
After the Chicago and Western Railroads abandoned their rail lines running from Martensdale, Cumming and Des Moines the surrounding communities pitched together to convert them to nature trails. These trails are shared today by both hikers and bicycle enthusiasts alike. Take some time today and explore these paved trails through the your own backyard. Along the way you will venture past prairie and wetland areas, highlighting Iowa’s diverse ecological habitats and you will have the chance to greet some of Iowa’s most beautiful creatures.
St. Patrick’s Irish Settlement Church
Built around 1870, St. Patrick’s Irish Settlement Church replaced the early log church that was constructed by the initial settlers of the Cumming area.
St. Patrick’s is the quintessential rural community church that has served the Cumming community for over 130 years, and is still in use today. In 1979 Pope John Paul II visited this church as only one of three stops that he made in the United States during his world tour.
Home of Senator Tom Harkin
Tom Harkin is the product of small town Iowa who has not forgotten his origins. He was born November 19, 1939 to a coal miner father and a Slovenian immigrant mother who passed away when Tom was ten years old. Tom, his three brothers, two sisters and their parents shared a two-bedroom home in Cumming for many years. Today, the Harkin family still farms around Cumming, and his extended family participates in many civic and philanthropic organizations in our community.