Category Archives: Road Trip

Town Sign Project: Fayette County

August 16, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

A few months back I cruised around Fayette County harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip:

Here are some facts about Fayette County:
+ Population is 19,604 making it the 35th most populous county in Iowa. Below Henry County and above Jackson County.
+ The largest town is Oelwein.
+ The county seat is West Union.
+ It is hard to say when Fayette County formed because it was part of the Wisconsin Territory and then party of the Iowa Territory. It was organized into its current size in 1850.
+ Named after Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette. A French general who fought with the Americans in the Revolutionary War. You know, the guy from HAMILTON. “I dream of France without a monarchy/The unrest in France will lead to “onarchy”/Onarchy? How you say? How you… oh, anarchy!”
+ Home of Upper Iowa University.
+ Major highways are: US-18, IA-3, IA-56, IA-93, IA-150, IA-187, and IA-281.
+ Adjacent counties are: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Bremer, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, and Winneshiek.
+ Population peaked in 1920 at 29,251.

The Fayette County Courthouse isn’t bad. Very similar to Boone’s.

The Fayette County Courthouse in West Union, Iowa.

The Fayette County Freedom Rock is located in Fayette, Iowa.

With Fayette County completed, here is the Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

84 counties down. 84.8% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Fayette County:

Oelwein, Iowa
Welcome To…
OELWEIN
Population: 5,920 (-495)

West Union, Iowa
West Union
WELCOME YOU
Population: 2,490 (+4)

Fayette, Iowa
FAYETTE
UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY
Est. 1857
Population: 1,256 (-82)

Fairbank, Iowa (Partially Buchanan)
Welcome to Fairbank
Population: 1,111 (-2)

Elgin, Iowa
WILLKOMMEN
GRUETZI MITEN AND
GREETINS ONE AND ALL
ELGIN
Little Switzerland of Iowa
Population: 685 (+2)

Clermont, Iowa
WELCOMT TO HISTORIC CLERMONT
Home of Willaim Larrabee,
Governor of Iowa, 1886-1890
Population: 586 (-46)

Maynard, Iowa
City of Maynard
WELCOMES YOU
Where the River Flows North
Population: 476 (-42)

Hawkeye, Iowa
HAWKEYE
2 MILES
Population: 438 (-11)

Arlington, Iowa
ARLINGTON
Where Hills and Prairie Meet
Population: 419 (-10)

Waucoma, Iowa
WAUCOMA
Just A Few Short Streets
Where Old Friends Meet
Founded – 1855
Population: 229 (-28)

Wadena, Iowa
Home of The Lighted Cross
Welcome To WADENA
Population: 209 (-53)

Westgate, Iowa
Welcome To Westgate
Population: 192 (-19)

St. Lucas, Iowa
ST. LUCAS
INC. 1900
WELCOMES YOU
Population: 167 (+24)

Randalia, Iowa
RANDALIA CENTENNIAL PARK
Population: 50 (-18)

Oran, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome To ORAN

Clearly the worst town sign in Fayette County is Randalia cause it isn’t even a true town sign.

But who gets Best in Show? There are some town signs in Fayette County that I really like. I like Waucoma. I like Wadena. I like Westgate. I like Arlington. I like Hawkeye. But my favorite is definitely Clermont. Backup the purple ribbon truck!

Clermont – Best in Show – Fayette County

There were a few alternate town signs in Fayette County:

West Union – Alternate

Hawkeye – Alternate

Fayette – Alternate

Arlington – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT we will visit Allamakee County.

Art, Contests, Logan, Pufferbilly Days, Road Trip, WPC - Reminder

Plymouth and Sioux County Aux – Vol. 5

August 12, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Here is the final collection of pictures I took on my road trip to harvest the town signs of Plymouth and Sioux County.

Lots more great art:

Next time we hit the dusty trail for auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Woodbury County.

+++++++

This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is FAMILY:

FAMILY! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a FAMILY photo? It is simply a picture of a FAMILY or something that comes from a FAMILY. An example might be a keepsake from a relative that has passed on. But don’t be hampered by the strict DNA definition of FAMILY. In the theme reveal image, none of the 3 people share any DNA. They were the judges for the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. They are a photography FAMILY. They are in the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest FAMILY. The people that come here and submit pictures are a FAMILY of sorts as well. Even though I am the only one that has met every single one of you.

I should note that I am on vacation next Monday. I don’t necessarily have plans for that day yet, but it is quite possible that there will be no reminders going out that day. Also possible the submission post might be later in the day than usual.

Happy photo harvesting!

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Winneshiek County

August 10, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

A couple of weeks back I tooled around Winneshiek County harvesting their town signs. Winneshiek County is one of the most beautiful places in Iowa. If I had to rank the most beautiful areas in Iowa, the Driftless Area would be first. The Loess Hills would be second. Then there would be a big gap and then the Des Moines River Valley.

Here are some facts about Winneshiek County:
+ The population is 20,090, making it the 32nd most populous county in Iowa. Below Carroll County and above Buena Vista County.
+ Decorah is the largest town and the county seat.
+ Organized in 1847.
+ Named after the Chief of the Winnebago tribe.
+ Home of Bily Clocks.
+ Home of Dunnings Springs waterfall, the pretties waterfall in Iowa.
+ Major highways are: US-52, IA-9, IA-24, IA-139, and IA-150.
+ Adjacent counties are: Allamakee, Fayette, Chickasaw, Howard, and Clayton.
+ Population peaked in 1880 at 23,398.

The Winneshiek County Courthouse is beautiful:

The Winneshiek County Courthouse in Decorah, Iowa.

The Winneshiek County Freedom Rock is located in Calmar, Iowa.

With Winneshiek County completed, here is the Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

83 Counties down. 83.8% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Winneshiek County:

Decorah, Iowa
DECORAH
Population: 7,587 (-540)

Calmar, Iowa
WELCOME TO CALMAR
EST. 1850
Population: 1,125 (+147)

Ossian, Iowa
OSSIAN
Est 1850
Population: 802 (-43)

Spillville, Iowa
WELCOME TO SPILLVILLE
Population: 385 (+18)

Fort Atkinson, Iowa
WELCOME TO HISTORIC FORT ATKINSON
Population: 312 (-37)

Ridgeway, Iowa
A NICE PLACE TO LIVE
RIDGEWAY
‘Where BIG Things Come In Small Packages’
FOUNDED IN 1867
POPULATION 295
Population: 275 (-40)

Castalia, Iowa
Entering
CASTALIA
Homes of Caring People
Population: 145 (-28)

Jackson Junction, Iowa
EST. 1897
JACKSON JUNCTION

Winneshiek County, for being such a beautifully natural county, has a fairly weak collection of town signs. I’m going to have to give last place to Decorah. What a disappointment of a town sign for such a beautiful town.

For the purple ribbon. For Best in Show… hmmmm. I like the Calmar sign. I like the Ridgeway sign. But I’m giving it to Castalia.

Castalia – Best in Show – Winneshiek County

There is only one alternate town sign in Winneshiek County:

Spillville Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Fayette County.

Art, Black & White, Christianity, Road Trip, Ruins

Plymouth and Sioux County Aux – Vol. 4

August 9, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

Time for another collection of images from my road trip through Plymouth and Sioux County to harvest their town sign. Most of these auxiliary images were taken in Le Mars. Le Mars has an incredible collection of murals to go with being the Ice Cream Capital of the World.

There is still one more collection of images from this road trip left to share.

Art, Bowling, History, Road Trip

Plymouth and Sioux County Aux – Vol. 3

August 3, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Time for another collection of images from my road trip through Plymouth and Sioux County. Once again, the organization on this is all kinds of messed up. But you’ll get the idea.

There are still plenty more pictures from this trip still to come!

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Delaware County

August 2, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

A couple months back I cruised around Delaware County harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip.

Here are some fun facts about Delaware County:
+ Population is 17,107 making it the 42nd most populous county in Iowa. Behind Dickinson County and above Crawford County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Manchester.
+ Named after the state of Delaware.
+ Major highways are: US-20, IA-3, IA-13, and IA-38.
+ Adjacent counties are Buchanan, Clayton, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, and Linn.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 19,185.

The Delaware County is beautiful:

The Delaware County Courthouse in Manchester, Iowa.

The Delaware County Freedom Rock is located in Dundee, Iowa.

With Delaware County completed, here is the Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

82 counties down. 82.8% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Delaware County:

Manchester, Iowa
MANCHESTER
Population: 5,065 (-114)

Edgewood, Iowa
CITY OF EDGEWOOD
BUSINESS DISTRICT
Population: 909 (+45)

Earlville, Iowa
EARLVILLE
Population: 716 (-96)

Hopkinton, Iowa
Welcome to HOPKINTON
Population: 622 (-6)

Delhi, Iowa
Welcome to Delhi
est. 1842
Population: 420 (-40)

Colesburg, Iowa
Welcome To
Est. 1848
COLESBURG
Gateway to the Beautiful Hill Country
Population 412
Population: 386 (-18)

Ryan, Iowa
City of Ryan
Community of Unity
Population: 350 (-11)

Greeley, Iowa
Welcome To GREELEY
Population: 217 (-39)

Dundee, Iowa
Welcome To DUNDEE
TINY IN SIZE
MIGHTY IN PRIDE
Population: 198 (+24)

Delaware, Iowa
DELAWARE
Where Friends Meet
THE HEART OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Population: 142 (-17)

Masonville, Iowa
Welcome to MASONVILLE
Population: 99 (-28)

Oneida, Iowa – Unincorporated
Est. 1896
Oneida

Petersburg, Iowa – Unincorporated
First Consecrated Church in Iowa
Welcome to PETERSBURG

Buck Creek, Iowa – Unincorporated
WELCOME TO BUCK CREEK
POP 30

Delaware County has a solid collection of signs. I don’t hate any of them, but if I have to give a worst town sign out, it goes to Earlville. Ryan isn’t much better.

But who gets the Purple Ribbon? Who gets Best in Show. I like the Oneida sign. I like the Greeley sign. I like the Manchester sign. I like the Manchester sign. I like the Petersburg sign. I’m going to give it to Oneida though. I think it is the most unique.

Oneida – Best in Show – Delaware County

There were a couple of alternate town signs in Delaware County:

Greeley – Alternate

Colesburg – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Winneshiek County.

Andy, Angie, Automobiles, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Jen, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Road Trip, Sarah Toot, Shannon, Still Life, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 359 – ODD CAMERA ANGLE

August 1, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Was ODD CAMERA ANGLE oddly popular? I guess you will have to scroll down to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, July 25, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Sarah Toot – 1 week (3)
+ Willy McAlpine – 2 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks
+ Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks
+ Monica Jennings – 3 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 4 weeks
+ Mary Green – 5 weeks (3)
+ Angie DeWaard – 7 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 10 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 16 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 17 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 19 weeks (2)
+ Teresa Kahler – 27 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 27 weeks (2)
+ Carla Stensland – 27 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 28 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 29 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 30 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 31 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 35 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 36 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 38 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 41 weeks (4)

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:

Linda Bennett – 1 week

Linda Bennett

Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

Mike Vest – 1 week

Brandon Kahler – 2 weeks

Sarah Toot – 2 weeks

Sarah Toot

Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks

Sabas Hernandez – 4 weeks

Monica Jennings – 4 weeks

Mary Green – 6 weeks

Mary Green

Angie DeWaard – 8 weeks

Angie DeWaard

Dawn Krause – 11 weeks

Kim Barker – 17 weeks

Kim Barker

Joe Duff – 18 weeks

Logan Kahler 20 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 28 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Tamara Peterson – 28 weeks

Carla Stensland – 28 weeks

Michelle Haupt – 29 weeks

Micky Augustin – 30 weeks

Andy Sharp – 31 weeks

Andy Sharp

Bill Wentworth – 32 weeks

Cathie Morton – 36 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 37 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 39 weeks

Kio Dettman – 42 weeks

Kio Dettman

Christopher D. Bennett – 463 weeks

26 participants! That is a pretty good week! We had submissions from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, California, Kansas, Colorado, Michigan and even Iowa this week!

There were 4 weeks that sadly were snapped though. Sarah Karber’s couldn’t extend her streak this week. Willy’s streak snapped at 2. Looks like that guy just can’t keep streaks going… Sara Lockner’s streak was snapped at 4 weeks. Just not a good week for Saras. Sarah Toot kept the pride in the name going though.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:

PEOPLE

PEOPLE! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a PEOPLE picture? Well, it is simply a picture that has a PEOPLE or multiple PEOPLE in it. (Somewhere an English teacher is hanging their head so low right now.) I know. PEOPLE are vile and disgusting subjects. They are a failed species that are responsible for 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the evil on this planet. Completely susceptible to propaganda. Responsible for the complete and utter raping of our planet. Avarice. Greed. War. Genocide. Racism. Homophobia. Transphobia. Misogyny. All unique products of PEOPLE. What I’m trying to say is that in the coming war between monkeys and humans, I am hard core #TeamMonkey*. I’d like to say we’ve had a good run, but all the evidence is to the contrary.

But as bad as PEOPLE are, even they aren’t on the list of things I hate most in this world. Well they aren’t the only thing on that list. That Top 5 list goes like this:

#1. People who say “hate” is a strong word. Yeah, I know, that is why I used it.
#2. Powerlines in front of pretty churches or murals. I mean it is 2022? Why aren’t all powerlines buried?
#3. People who park in front of murals. I know there are parking spots there, doesn’t mean you have to use them.
#4. People who are living their own life and getting in my shots, like their world doesn’t revolve around me.
#5. The open faced sandwich. Makes no sense. Shouldn’t exist.

But even I have PEOPLE I like. If you are reading this, you are one of my PEOPLE. Or dare I say, one of my peeps? I will put in a good word for you with our soon to be monkey overlords.

While considering possible subjects for your PEOPLE image meditate on the following quote:

I love mankind… it’s people I can’t stand!!!
-Charles M. Schulz

I look forward to the interpretations.

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of PEOPLE in this place that is made for humans by humans next Monday.

* The war has already started. Look into the Japanese monkeys that are already out there stealing babies.

Art, History, Road Trip

Plymouth and Sioux County Aux – Vol. 2

July 30, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Here is another collection of auxiliary pictures from my road trip to Plymouth and Sioux County to harvest their town signs.

Most of these pictures are of the extremely bizarre sculptures in Hospers, Iowa. Here is some information on the sculptures:

Frederickus Reinders (1874-1959) who worked as a house painter, furniture salesman, and undertaker, created a colorful monument to those in his hometown who served in World War I. Standing 20 feet tall, dedicated on September 5, 1921, it features a doughboy, an eagle, American flags, and the goddess Columbia in a blue gown (The models for the doughboy and the goddess were local young people).

Reinders’ other monuments in town — built, like his WWI monument, out of steel, chicken wire, and painted cement — were completed in 1945, and include a tribute to the battle for Iwo Jima, a Goddess of Victory, a Statue of Liberty, and a four-headed allegorical war dragon.

All of Reinders’ sculptures have been restored and repainted by Josh Wynia and art professor Jake Van Wyk of nearby Dordt College.

Reinders’ WWI sculpture was designed with a plaque to be inscribed with the names of Hospers doughboys who never made it home alive. However, it turned out that only two died, and not from battlefield wounds, but from the flu. So the plaque was left blank.

I find it interesting that dying from the flu isn’t plaque worthy. Tough break your dead, but not worth memorializing. Tough break doughboys.

Here some pictures:

By the way, I almost got ran over by a car as I was walking toward the sculpture that is in the middle of an intersection. It was 100% my fault as I was reading a text message and just wandered out in to the street. Don’t feel bad if it was your text message I was reading. Clearly my fault, but it is okay if you feel a little bad. The lady that almost drilled me did pull over and we had a nice conversation. She tipped me off to the rest of the sculptures in a nearby park.

There are plenty more pictures from this road trip left to share.

Art, Christianity, Road Trip, Ruins

Plymouth and Sioux County Aux – Vol. 1

July 27, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Here is another reminder that Friday is the deadline to turn in your entries for the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest.

Here are the rules:

The foam board rule is important, as the heat in the display window is pretty intense. Pictures tend to melt in the heat if they don’t have a good backing.

Good luck!

+++++++

A few months back I cruised around Plymouth and Sioux County harvesting their town signs. I took a large collection of auxiliary images on this trip as I found many fascinating things. These pictures might not be in chronological order because I didn’t have the times of my two cameras synced yet. Poor planning on my part.

Most of these pictures were taken in either Orange City or Remsen. I loved Orange City and it is on my list to visit next year during or near their tulip festival. There are a ton more pictures from this trip to share.

Art, Contests, Pufferbilly Days, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Buchanan County

July 26, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

A reminder that this Friday is the deadline to enter the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest is this Friday at 5 PM. Entries should be turned in to the Boone Chamber of Commerce at 903 Story Street.

Photos will be displayed at KWBG at 824 Keeler St. Definitely starting on Friday, August 5. But the goal is to have them up Thursday morning. August 4. People’s Choice voting will begin shortly thereafter.

+++++++

Back at the end of May, I cruised around Buchanan County harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip.

Here are some facts about Buchanan County:
+ Population is 21,141. Making it the 29th most populous county in Iowa. Below Washington County and above Jones County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Independence.
+ Created in 1837.
+ Named after Senator James Buchanan, who would go on to be the 15th President of the United States.
+ Home of Iowa’s largest frying pan.
+ Major highways are: I-380, US-20, IA-27, IA-150, IA-187, and IA-281.
+ Adjacent counties are Clayton, Fayette, Delaware, Linn, Benton, Black Hawk, and Bremer.
+ Population peaked in 1980 at 22,900. Population has declined in the last two census.

The Buchanan County Courthouse is fair looking:

The Buchanan County Courthouse located in Independence, Iowa.

The Buchanan County Freedom Rock is located in Independence, Iowa.

With Buchanan County completed, here is the Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

81 counties down. 81.8% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Buchanan County:

Independence, Iowa
Independence
Celebrate our spirit!
Population: 6,064 (+98)

Jesup, Iowa – Partially in Black Hawk County
CITY of JESUP
Population: 2,508 (+12)

Fairbank, Iowa – Partially in Fayette County
Welcome to Fairbank
Population: 1,111 (-2)

Winthrop, Iowa
Winthrop
“Friendliest town for miles around”
Population: 823 (-27)

Hazleton, Iowa
HAZLETON
Welcomes You!
Population: 713 (-110)

Quasqueton, Iowa
City of Quasky
Quasqueton
Est. 1842
Population: 570 (+16)

Lamont, Iowa
Welcome to LAMONT
WEST GATEWAY to BACKBONE STATE PARK
Population: 429 (-32)

Brandon, Iowa
Welcome to BRANDON
A Little Town
We’re Proud to Call Home
Population: 341 (-32)

Rowley, Iowa
Welcome To ROWLEY
IOWA’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Population: 270 (+6)

Aurora, Iowa
Welcome to Aurora
Population: 169 (-16)

Stanley, Iowa – Partially in Fayette County
STANLEY
Population: 81 (-44)

Buchanan County is a collection of some solid signs. Even a few great ones. I don’t think there is a bad sign in the bunch. I don’t think I can single one out as the worst.

But what get the purple ribbon? Who gets Best in Show? I love Brandon’s sign because it has the frying pan on it. I love the rapids on the Quasqueton sign. I love the fact that the words “Iowa’s Best Kept Secret” are pretty much a secret on the Rowley sign. However, I think the purple ribbon has to go to Stanley and their dilapidated Tin Man town sign. I’m sure some will argue it is the worst, but I love it. Even it blows over in the next derecho.

Stanley – Best in Show – Buchanan County

There are a few alternate town signs in Buchanan County:

Quasqueton – Alternate

Stanley – Alternate

Independence – Alternate

Aurora – Alternate

Jesup – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will look at the town signs of Delaware County.