In 1892, the Illinois Central station began to serve a dual role as both a freight and passenger service. With this in mind, the railroad line built a new passenger depot in 1891 that was a necessity to help take care of the crowds convening for the races at the kite shaped race track.

Today, the Chicago Rock Island Depot and the Illinois Central Depot have been restored and relocated along highway 150 in Independence and serves as the home for Buchanan County Tourism. To accompany the relocation, Illinois Central railways donated a locomotive, cargo car and caboose that are on display next to the train depot.

Wapsi was a young Indian brave; Pinicon was a beautiful Indian maiden. Wapsi was one of the warlike Sioux, and Pinicon belonged to the equally hostile tribe of Sac. As fate wiled it, they met, fell in love but strong objections from both tribes deterred them from expressing their love to each other. Their love remained strong and the lovers found means of communicating their passion and they decided one evening to elope. On the very evening they were preparing to leave, Pinicon's father returned from a hunt and found the two together. Wapsi fled and Pinicon waited until her father fell fast asleep and she slipped away into the night to find her lover.

Guided by the October moon, the two reunited and Wapsi exclaimed, “Not even death shall ever part us more. Let us fly to my northern home, where parental tyranny can never separate us and we can dwell in peace and harmony until the Great Spirit, ‘Gitchie Manitou', calls us.” Just then, they heard footsteps in the distance and realized that Pinicon's father and three braves were approaching. They ran in desperate flight away from their chasers. Once they reached the river bank, there was no time for reconsideration; the murmuring river was singing their funeral chant. Without a word, the devoted lovers clasped in each other's arms and plunged into the river. The enraged father reached the bank only to behold them struggling in the water, sinking and rising and with one last gasp sinking.

Today, the Wapsipinicon flows through Independence and is highlighted by the new River Walk Parks area. Complete with a trail, amphitheater and sand volleyball courts, the River Walk Parks has become a beautiful addition and source of recreation for the community and houses the towns largest event - the Independence Day Celebration held over the 4th of July Weekend.

Today the Mill is the foremost cornerstone of our community. It still resides in its original location but has since received several cosmetic reconstructions. Surrounded by several eateries and just over the bridge from our historic downtown, the Wapsipinicon Mill serves as a substantial tourist attraction and is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places. The Mill is operated by the Buchanan County Historical Society and is open for tours and special events during the summer months.

The Mental Health Institute (MHI) is a 181-bed state psychiatric hospital operated by the Iowa Department of Human Services. MHI provides psychiatric hospitalization services to adults from northeast Iowa and children and adolescents from eastern Iowa.

The hospital opened on May 1, 1873 under the name Iowa Hospital for Insane. The main center building is five stories high with two wings each three stories high. In 1969 a children’s unit was built and later named the Cromwell Unit.

MHI serves as one of the county’s largest employers and today has a training school for nurses.