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AGENCY, IOWA -- A tour of the Heartland’s historical treasures would not be complete without a visit to the two acres in Agency, Iowa which have a history that dates back to the 18th Century. It is the story of a friendship, one that led to the establishment of the State of Iowa as it exists today.

It is the story of General Joseph M. Street and Chief Wapello of the Sauk and Fox Tribe.

"Those two were instrumental in purchasing much of Iowa from the Indian tribes at the time, prior to us becoming a state, and prior to the area being homesteaded," said Chris Denny, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Chief Wapello Memorial Park Association.

General Street was appointed "Indian Agent" when the tribe was looking to sell their land to the U.S. Government. He and Wapello traveled around the area together. Wapello referred to him as "white father," although Street was only five years older.

"They had a very good working relationship evidently. And saw each other as a friend as well as a business person," Denny said.

Street died in 1840, and Wapello just two years later...within months before the treaty would be signed and the government would purchase the land which would later evolve into the State of Iowa.

"And he had made it known that he wanted to be buried with the general," Denny said.

Wapello was buried alongside Street and the General's immediate family.

"A lot of interesting stories about Chief Wapello. A very mild-mannered, wise individual, who was revered by both his tribe members and the white man," Denny said.

The area became overgrown with weeds through the years, but by the time of America's Bicentennial, that would change.

"The local Methodist minister kind of took it upon himself to clean the area up and it became a National Historic site in 1976 with the structure added that you see to protect the graves," Denny said.

The Chief Wapello Memorial Park includes an informational panel detailing the close friendship between Chief Wapello and General Street.

Public donations and support is always welcome for the maintenance of the park...a place to commemorate a "lasting symbol of devoted friendship between two persons of different races and cultures," friends who died less than two years apart and are buried 12 feet from each other.

"A lot of history here. Anybody interested in Indian lore of any kind, would find it an interesting site, I believe," Denny said.