Category Archives: Art

Johnson County Aux

September 24, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Back in April I made abbreviated cruise around Johnson County harvesting most of their town signs. These are the auxiliary images I took on that trip. A few at the end were taken in Marshall County.

Not just a bad day for Templars and horny camp counselors?

Next to this bridge is a really cool bar/restaurant. Or I have been told.

If you haven’t written you initials and somebody else’s initials on a lock. Placed it on a bridge and thrown the key over the side, have you really ever been in love?

The next time we take to the open road to share auxiliary images from a TOWN SIGN PROJECT road trip, we will visit Appanoose County.

Art, Black & White, Christianity, History, Nature, Road Trip, Ruins, Self-Portrait

Mitchell and Floyd Aux – Vol. 3

September 21, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Time for another collection of images from my road trip to Mitchell and Floyd County back in April. This is the final collection of images from this road trip. A few counties are covered in this collection. Mitchell. Floyd. Franklin. Hamilton. All covered. Well at least there are pictures from all of those counties in this collection.

Osage

Interstate Park

Mitchell

Osage

Colwell

Charles City

Floyd

Rockford

Fossil & Prairie Center

Marble Rock

Roseville

Franklin County

Ellsworth

I really love some of the auxiliary pictures from this collection. If my tentative plan to create a book from the auxiliary images comes to fruition (have to get the THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT book finished first) there is definitely some pictures from this trip that will make the book.

The next county we will visit for auxiliary images is Johnson County. It will be a smaller collection. This isn’t because Johnson County is full of Hawkeye fans. Truth is I love Iowa City and will one day make a trip to better photograph its campus town area. It is just because it was a weird, strange and abbreviated trip. I might explain later.

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Wapello County

September 20, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

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

Here are some facts about Wapello County:
+ Population is 35,256. Making it the 20th most populous county in Iowa. Below Sioux County and above Marion County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Ottumwa.
+ Was formed on February 17, 1843.
+ Named for the Meskwaki Chief Wapello.
+ The “birthplace” of Iowa.
+ Site of the house in the background of Grant Wood’s painting “American Gothic”.
+ Major highways are: US-34, US-63, IA-16, IA-137, IA-149.
+ Adjacent counties are Mahaska, Keokuk, Jefferson, Davis, and Monroe.
+ Population peaked in 1950 at 47,397.

The Wapello Courthouse is kinda cool looking but the statue on the top is next level:

Wapello County Courthouse in Ottumwa, Iowa.

The Wapello County Freedom Rock is located in Ottumwa, Iowa.

With Wapello County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=STRONG

89 counties completed. 88.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Wapello County:

Ottumwa, Iowa
OTTUMWA
CITY OF BRIDGES
Population: 25,529 (+506)

Eddyville, Iowa – Also in Mahaska and Monroe Counties
Home of the Rockets
EDDYVILLE
SINCE 1840
Population: 970 (-54)

Eldon, Iowa
Welcome to ELDON
Home of the American Gothic House
Population: 783 (-144)

Agency, Iowa
Agency
Home of Chief Wapello
Population: 620 (-18)

Blakesburg, Iowa
Welcome To BLAKESBURG
Founded in 1854
Population: 274 (-22)

Kirkville, Iowa
WELCOME TO KIRKVILLE
EST. 1844
Population: 157 (-10)

Chillicothe, Iowa
WELCOME TO Chillicothe
Est. 1881
Population: 76 (-21)

I don’t know that there is really a bad town sign in the bunch. I would say the most disappointing is Eldon. When yo have something so iconic as the American Gothic house in your town, your really need to do better with your town sign.

As for the purple ribbon. Best in Show? I really like the Chillicothe sign, but it has to go to Agency.

Agency – Best in Show – Wapello County

There was only on alternate town sign in Wapello County:

Agency – alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee 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 – Clayton 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 – Johnson 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 – Wapello County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington 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 Muscatine County.

Art, Christianity, Railroad, Road Trip, Ruins

Mitchell and Floyd Aux – Vol. 2

September 17, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Time for another collection of images from my road trip to Mitchell and Floyd County back in April. Most of the pictures were taken in Mitchell County.

Saint Ansgar

Mona

Toeterville

Stacyville

Meyer

McIntire

Riceville

New Haven

Osage

I really liked Osage. It is a town I would like to explore again in the future. It goes on the list! One more collection from this road trip to go!

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

Mitchell and Floyd Aux – Vol. 1

September 14, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Way back in April, I cruised around Mitchell and Floyd County harvesting their town signs. The weather and the lighting was great for photography and I took as much advantage of it as I could. There will be three collections of auxiliary images from this road trip.

Here is the first collection:

Carpenter

Otranto

Fort Severson

Saint Ansgar

Fort Severson. This is a fascinating bit of history to me. For starters, it isn’t a fort. It is a barn. A cool barn. But not a fort.

Here is what the inscription says on the historical marker outside of the barn:

Built in 1867 by Nils Severson on his land with help of neighbor’s using limestone and mortar of lime & sand from Deer Creek. Severson’s design was a typical fort with small openings for rifles and larger openings for gatling guns. The Spirit Lake Massacre and uprising at New Ulm Minnesota prompted the building of forts across North Iowa. This is the only one left standing. Although Indians never came there were some scares. Settlers would come from as far as ten miles to stay here. The building was later used as a stage coach stop on a route between Northwood and St. Ansgar on the Kansas City, Rochester Minnesota stage line. As many as 20 people would sleep on the top floor, meals were served on the first floor. Immigrants would stay while looking for land to settle on. It became a farm building in the 1870’s after the railroad came through. Restored in 1972 by local people as a United States bicentennial project. Use of fort & site donated by David & Judy Goplerud. Placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in July 1976.

Seems straight forward. They were scared of the indigenous people in the area. They built a fort. Where they had gatling guns. This is the inscription that is on the historical marker. However, the Mitchell County Historical County calls BS on this marker. According to their website:

Actually, it’s just a barn but where’s the fun in that? It’s long been called Fort Severson by Mitchell and Worth County residents. Actually, the term “Fort” was a common designation on the American frontier for larger secure structures built by early pioneers. These included some churches, a remote farm house or other safe place to stay when needed. People often found themselves away from more populated areas on the prairie and needed good shelter. Sadly, it never actually acted as a “fort” for protection.

But that takes away nothing from the structure itself. Solidly and skillfully constructed of local limestone and timber from surrounding woodlands, it has survived since the mid 1850s.

The website goes on:

Rumors of the structure being used for Indian protection and being a stagecoach stop have made for good stories over the years. Many will say the small openings were for defense of the “Fort” during anticipated attacks but that was not the case- No rifles or Gatling guns (as one account speculates) ever extended through those openings. The Spirit Lake Massacre in 1857 and the New Ulm Massacre in 1862 were over long before the “Fort” was built and the Indians that passed through the area, scouting along Deer Creek, were not a threat but were known to approach the settlers’ homes seeking food. These framed openings were in fact for ventilation of the barn. Not near as exciting as the rumors. The stage line to Northwood did pass by the Seversons. Tradition said that the “Fort” was used as a stop with the wagon teams staying below and the passengers stayed above on the loft space. Again, another good story. There was no chimney or heating source in the “Fort” and this was not a regular stage stop but weary travelers were likely accommodated in a nearby frame structure, now long gone, that was the actual inn and only the teams would have been sheltered in the Nels Severson Barn.

I assume the historical society is correct, but makes me wonder why the historical marker is so completely inaccurate.

Town Sign Project: Clayton County

September 13, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

A few months back I made two separate trips to harvest the town signs of Clayton County. It was a great trip and I truly believe that Clayton County is one of the prettiest counties in Iowa. The whole region of Iowa is spectacular!

Here are some facts about Clayton County:
+ Population is 16,998. Making it the 41st most populous county in Iowa. Below Delaware County and above Tama County.
+ The largest town is Postville. The county seat is Elkader.
+ Established in 1837.
+ Named after John M. Clayton, a Senator from Delaware and the Secretary of State under Zachary Taylor.
+ Part of the Driftless Area.
+ 5th largest county in Iowa by area.
+ Home to Effigy Mounds National Monument. (Partially)
+ Major highways are US-18, US-13, US-52, IA-128, IA-56, IA-3, and IA-76.
+ Adjacent counties are Allamakee, Dubuque, Fayette, Delaware, Winneshiek, and Buchanan.
+ Population peaked at 28,829 in 1880.

Clayton County has a decent, but not spectacular looking courthouse:

The Clayton County Courthouse in Elkader, Iowa.

The Clayton County Freedom Rock is located in Guttenberg:

With Clayton County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

88 counties completed. 88.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Clayton County:

Postville, Iowa (Partially in Allamakee County)
EST. 1849
POSTVILLE
Hometown to the World
Population: 2,503 (+276)

Guttenberg, Iowa
Guttenberg
Historic Rivertown
Population: 1,817 (-102)

Monona, Iowa
Garden City of Iowa
MONONA
Incorporate 1897
Population: 1,471 (-78)

Elkader, Iowa
WELCOME TO ELKDAER
SHOP DINE EXPLORE & MORE
Population: 1,209 (-64)

Strawberry Point, Iowa
STRAWBERRY POINT
Population: 1,155 (-124)

Edgewood, Iowa (Partially Delaware County)
CITY OF EDGEWOOD
Population: 909 (+45)

Garnavillo, Iowa
Welcome To GARNAVILLO
Gem of the Prairie
Population: 763 (+18)

McGregor, Iowa
Est. 1837
WELCOME TO HISTORIC McGREGOR
Home of Pikes Peak
Population: 742 (-130)

Marquette, Iowa
MARQUETTE
WELCOMES YOU
Population: 429 (+54)

Luana, Iowa
Welcome to LUANA
Population: 301 (+32)

Farmersburg, Iowa
Farmersburg
THE SMALL TOWN IN THE COUNTRY
Population: 271 (-31)

Volga City, Iowa
VOLGA CITY
Population: 203 (-5)

North Buena Vista, Iowa
Welcome to:
North Buena Vista
GROTTO
BOATING FISHING
Population: 109 (-12)

St. Olaf, Iowa
St. Olaf Civic Center
Population: 106 (-2)

Garber & Elkport, Iowa
Welcome to the Elkport-Garber Community
Where The Rivers Run Wild
Garber Population: 76 (-12)
Elkport Population: 29 (-8)

Clayton, Iowa
CLAYTON
Est. 1849
Population: 45 (+2)

Osterdock, Iowa
Welcome to Osterdock
God’s Country
Population: 43 (-16)

Hardin, Iowa – Ghost Town
VILLAGE OF HARDIN

That is a pretty solid set of town signs. I think the worst one is pretty obvious though. It is St. Olaf. It isn’t really a town sign, just a sign marking their Civic Center.

But who gets the purple ribbon for Clayton County? I love the signs for Osterdock and Marquette and Guttenberg and Elkport-Garber and Garnavillo and Monona and Postville. Volage City’s town sign is a fountain! A FOUNTAIN! I don’t imagine there is another town sign in Iowa that is a fountain. But only one town has a town sign that is also the world’s largest strawberry. I have to give the prize to Strawberry Point.

Strawberry Point – Best in Show – Clayton County

There are quite a few alternate town signs in Clayton County:

McGregor – Alternate

Guttenberg – Alternate

Volga City – Alternate

Strawberry Point – Alternate

Monona – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee 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 – Clayton 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 – Johnson 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 – Washington 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 Wapello County.

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

Dickinson and Emmet Aux – Vol. 2

September 10, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

This is the second and final collection of auxiliary images I took while harvesting the town signs of Dickinson and Emmet County. A few are taken in Humboldt County and the final picture is taken in Greene County. Some of the trips to harvest town signs are very long and sometimes I don’t eat or barely eat on these trips. While I was harvesting town signs out west and northwest, I would consistently hit up the A&W drive-thru in Jefferson. So delicious! I would gladly trade Boone’s Evil Clown Empire Outpost AND the Burger King that is allegedly opening back up in a couple months for an A&W. No regrets. The last picture is from that Jefferson A&W drive-thru. Miss you! I will come see you again soon.

Here is the final collection of images from Dickinson and Emmet County:

Superior

I can only imagine putting 32 quarters in the slot to get my 1000 gallons of water.

Estherville

Little known fact – Meteors aim for Iowa.

Actual chunk of the meteorite.

Wallingford – He-s looking to see where the rest of his hat went.

Gruver

Armstrong

Bradgate

Mmmmmm… Fried Cheese Curds (Not available at B-Bop’s, for the record)

The next time we hit the open road to view some of the auxiliary images I took while harvesting town signs for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Mitchell and Floyd County.

Art, History, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Washington County

September 6, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A few weeks back I cruised around Washington County harvesting their town signs. It was a great trip as Washington County has a couple of my favorite spots in Iowa to visit.

Here are some facts about Washington County:
+ Population is 22,491 making it the 27th most populous county in Iowa. Below Bremer and above Mahaska.
+ The largest town and county seat is Washington.
+ Formed in 1838 as Slaughter County. Later organized as Washington County when it was moved from the Wisconsin Territory to the Iowa Territory. Named after George Washington. A character from Hamilton. You know, the guy who said, “My name’s been through a lot, I can take it.” and “You have no control. Who lives, who dies, who tells your story.”
+ Home of the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise.
+ Home of the Kalona Creamery and Golden Delight Bakery, two of my favorite places in Iowa and places where I have fond family memories.
+ Major highways are: US-218, IA-1, IA-22, IA-27, IA-78, and IA-92.
+ Adjacent counties are: Iowa, Johnson, Louisa, Henry, Jefferson, and Keokuk.
+ Currently at peak population.

Washington County has a beautiful courthouse that I could have done a better job of photographing:

The Washington County Courthouse located in Washington, Iowa.

The Washington County Freedom Rock is located in Brighton, Iowa.

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

87 counties completed. 87.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Washington County:

Washington, Iowa
WASHINGTON
Population: 7,352 (+86)

Kalona, Iowa
Welcome to KALONA
SINCE 1879
Population: 2,630 (+267)

Wellman, Iowa
WELCOME TO WELLMAN
Population: 1,524 (+116)

Riverside, Iowa
WELCOME TO RIVERSIDE
Where The Trek Begins
Population: 1,060 (+67)

Brighton, Iowa
Home of Lake Darling
Brighton
Population: 600 (-52)

Ainsworth, Iowa
City of Ainsworth
Population: 511 (-56)

Crawfordsville, Iowa
CRAWFORDSVILLE
BIRTHPLACE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
FEBRUARY 23RD, 1854
Population: 277 (+13)

West Chester, Iowa
Welcome to WEST CHESTER
Population: 144 (+2)

Coppock, Iowa – Also in Henry and Jefferson Counties
Population: 36 (-11)

Last place is kind of a no brainer. Even in a county filled with nondescript and boring signs, Coppock is dead last for only having the DOT sign. The weird thing about Coppock is there is actually a decent sized business in the Eagles Nest. You would think they would have a sign.

As for Crawfordsville being the Birthplace of the Republican Party. #1. The original founders of the Republican Party must be completely ashamed to see what their party has become. #2. The Republican Party doesn’t recognize Crawfordsville as the birthplace of the Republican Party. There are two towns that fight over this distinction. Jackson, Michigan and Ripon, Wisconsin. Neither one, you might notice, is Crawfordsville, Iowa.

So what gives?

The Republican Party used to claim that the first informal meeting took place in Ripon on March 20, 1854. Then the first formal meeting took place in Jackson on July 6, 1854. The first organizing convention took place in Pittsburgh on February 22, 1856. The the first nominating convention took place in Philadelphia opening on June 17, 1856.

The Republican Party doesn’t site either place as their birthplace.

So where does Crawfordsville, Iowa come into this mix?

In February 23, 1854 delegates met in the Seceder Church and House of All Nations and drew up resolutions which began the Republican Party. There are no written proof of the actual meeting and you never see Crawfordsville mentioned as a possible birthplace of the Republican Party. Maybe it is for the best.

But after all of that, you are probably wondering what is the best town sign in Washington County. I do like the Riverside sign. I also like the Ainsworth sign. But clearly, Best in Show goes to Kalona.

Kalona – Best in Show – Washington County

There a few alternate town signs in Washington County:

Riverside – Alternate

Kalona – Alternate

Brighton – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee 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 – Johnson 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 – Washington 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 Clayton County.

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

Dickinson and Emmet Aux – Vol. 1

August 31, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A few months back I made a trip up to and through Dickinson and Emmet County to harvest their town signs. I had already harvested a good chunk of Dickinson County earlier. I really need to do a better photo experience in the Okoboji area cause on this trip I didn’t explore much. I got to see a little bit more of the area when I went camping with Carla and Jason several weeks later. I’ll share those pictures at a later date.

Here is the first collection of auxiliary images from that trip. Some of these are taken in Clay County:

Peterson

Terril – Happy Timers? How do you not have a smiley face on your yellow building?!?!?

West Okoboji

Arnolds Park

Okoboji

Spirit Lake

Orleans

Superior

Are you wondering about the “Ghost Train”? It is located between Spirit Lake and Superior and was once part of the Spirit of the Lakes dinner train. Those cars are trapped there as the tracks have been removed on both sides, so even if somebody wanted to move them, they are stuck.

This is from a WHO story in 2014:

The Iowa Northwestern Dinner Train started in 2003 on a track which had been abandoned by Union Pacific. The line served meals and gave rides out of the Spirit Lake area. It didn’t last long, operations stopped about nine years ago. Since that time, its passenger cars and kitchen dinning car have been parked on a rail siding near Superior, Iowa.

Vandals have broken windows and dismantled seats. Many things used in the operation of the Dinner Train were left behind, including an electric food warmer, coffee dispensers, plates and Christmas decorations.

Most of the article is about how awesome the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad Dinner Train is. I actually have never rode that train. I need to get on that.

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

Art, Elizabeth, Road Trip, Town Sign Project, WPC - Submissions

Town Sign Project: Johnson County

August 30, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I don’t want to get into too much of how much effort it takes on the backend of this website to make the part of the website you see. But for every picture that is submitted to THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, it takes about 5 minutes of work to prepare that picture and put it on the website, so the rest of the world can see it.

Every once in awhile, I can jack something up in that 5 minute span. Despite my extensive use of a proofreader and a QA department. Yesterday, that happened with Elizabeth’s picture for Circle. It would take a long time to explain what happened, but the short version is, something bad. It might have been karma. Monkey Bread Hoax Karma.

Therefore, enjoy Elizabeth’s picture now:

Elizabeth Nordeen

Lot of circles in that pictures!

My apologies. It will probably happen again.

One thing I forgot to mention about THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE for this week is that next Monday is Labor Day. While the government and schools and banks take the day off, there are no days off for Photography 139. The struggle is real! But I might not be in a position to send out any reminders. Plan your submissions accordingly!

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A couple months back I made it back to Johnson County to harvest the rest of their town signs. I took the majority of the Johnson County signs back in April when a family member was at the University of Iowa Hospital having surgery. Only one person was allowed in with them and I was the odd person out. Mostly because of my lack of medical knowledge. I spent the time waiting for the surgery to be over driving around Johnson County. Then I came back several months later and harvested the last two signs.

Here are some facts about Johnson County:
+ Population is 150,819 making it the 4th most populous county in Iowa. Below Scott County and above Black Hawk County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Iowa City.
+ Established in 1837.
+ This is pretty cool. Originally named after US Vice President Richard M. Johnson. As his name implies, he was a dick. Slave owner. Used the fact that he may have (but may not have) killed Shawnee Chief Tecumseh to political advantage. In 2020 the County Board of Supervisors changed the county namesake to Lulu Merle Johnson. The first black woman in the state to get her doctorate. Only the second in the United States. Making Johnson County the only county in Iowa named after an African-American and only the second named after a woman. (By my math.) On the other hand, there are several named after vile racists.
+ Home of the second largest university in the state, the University of Iowa. The first public university in the United States to admit men and women on an equal basis.
+ Birthplace of Ashley Joens. The greatest basketball player in Iowa State women’s basketball history.
+ Major highways are: I-80, I-380, US-6, US-218, IA-1, IA-22, and IA-27.
+ Adjacent counties are: Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Linn, Muscatine, Louisa, and Washington.
+ Currently at peak population.

The Johnson County Courthouse is beautiful. Possibly Top 10. Maybe Top 5. Well Top 10.

The Johnson County Courthouse in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Johnson County Freedom Rock is located in Solon, Iowa.

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

86 counties completed. 86.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

West Branch is in Johnson County, but mostly in Cedar County. I shared the West Branch sign when I shared the Cedar County signs.

Here are the town signs of Johnson County:

Iowa City, Iowa
IOWA CITY
Population: 74,828 (+10,966)

Coralville, Iowa
welcome to CORALVILLE
Population: 22,318 (+3,411)

North Liberty, Iowa
WELCOME To NORTH LIBERTY
Population: 20,479 (+7,105)

Tiffin, Iowa
Tiffin
Population: 4,512 (+2,565)

Solon, Iowa
SOLON
Population: 3,018 (+981)

Lone Tree, Iowa
WELCOME TO LONE TREE
Population: 1,357 (+57)

University Heights, Iowa
WELCOME TO THE CITY OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
Population: 1,228 (+177)

Swisher, Iowa
WELCOME TO SWISHER
Population: 914 (+35)

Hills, Iowa
WELCOME TO HILLS
WHERE TOWN AND COUNTRY MEET
Population: 863 (+160)

Shueyville, Iowa
Welcome to THE TOWN OF Shueyville
EST. 1855
Population: 731 (+154)

Oxford, Iowa
Oxford
Population: 722 (-85)

Sutliff, Iowa – Unincorporated
SUTLIFF
OLD BRIDGE – SCENIC VIEW – BOAT RAMP – TAVERN – FUN

Clearly the worst town sign in Johnson County is the sign for University Heights. Basically just a DOT sign.

But what gets Best of Show. What gets the purple ribbon. I like the sign from Shueyville and Swisher and Oxford, but this one is pretty obvious. It is Lone Tree:

Lone Tree – Best in Show – Johnson County

There are a couple of alternate town signs in Johnson County:

Hills – Alternate

Lone Tree – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee 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 – Johnson 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

Next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT we will be visiting Washington County.

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