Category Archives: Art

Shelby and Mills County Auxiliary Images – Vol. 1

A few weeks back I cruised around Shelby and Mills County (and Pottawattamie County) harvesting their town signs. Here is the first collection of auxiliary images from this trip. Including some pictures of what I think might be the prettiest church in Iowa. But no, I’m not going to make a Iowa Church Power Rankings at any point in the future.


Shelby County

Shelby County

Shelby County
I don’t know how this turned out but this person hates schools!

Shelby County - Kirkman
Kirkman

Shelby County - Kirkman

Shelby County - Kirkman

Shelby County - Kirkman

Shelby County - Kirkman

Shelby County - Kirkman

Shelby County

Shelby County - Westphalia
Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Westphalia

Shelby County - Panama
Panama

Shelby County - Panama

Shelby County - Panama

Shelby County - Panama

Shelby County - Panama

Shelby County - Portsmouth
Portsmouth

Shelby County - Portsmouth

Shelby County - Portsmouth

Shelby County - Harlan
Harlan

Shelby County - Harlan

Shelby County - Harlan

Shelby County - Harlan

Do you think you know which church was my favorite?

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

TOWN SIGN PROJECT: CLINTON COUNTY

A few weeks back I ventured out east on a solo trip to Clinton County to harvest their town signs. It was a pretty great trip!

Here are some facts about Clinton County:
+ Population is 46,460 making it the 12th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Warren County and above Muscatine County.
+ Clinton is the county seat and largest town.
+ Formed on December 21, 1837.
+ Named for New York Governor DeWitt Clinton. Also two towns in the county are named for him.
+ Contains the easternmost part of Iowa.
+ Birthplace of Jesse Howard.
+ Major Highways are: US-30, US-61, US-67, and IA-136.
+ Adjacent Counties are Jackson, Scott, Cedar, and Jones.
+ Population peaked in 1980 at 57,122.

The Clinton County Courthouse is kinda cool looking:


Clinton County Courthouse
The Clinton County Courthouse in Clinton, Iowa.

The Clinton County Freedom Rock is located in Clinton, Iowa:


Clinton County Freedom Rock

Clinton County Freedom Rock

With Clinton County conquered, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 57 Counties
PURPLE=STRONG

57 counties completed. 57.6% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Clinton County:


Clinton, Iowa
Clinton, Iowa
Welcome to CLINTON IOWA
Population: 24,469 (-2,416)

DeWitt, Iowa
DeWitt, Iowa
Welcome to DeWitt
Crossroads to Opportunity
Population: 5,514 (+192)

Camanche, Iowa
Camanche, Iowa
CAMANCHE
Population: 4,570 (+122)

Wheatland, Iowa
Wheatland, Iowa
WHEATLAND
Shop Wheatland Businesses Ahead
www.cityofwheatland.org
Population: 775 (+11)

Grand Mound, Iowa
Grand Mound, Iowa
Grand Mound
There’s No Place Like Home
Population: 615 (-27)

Delmar, Iowa
Delmar, Iowa
DELMAR WELCOMES YOU
A GREAT PLACE TO GROW
A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN
A GREAT PLACE TO SERVE
Population: 542 (+17)

Lost Nation, Iowa
Lost Nation, Iowa
Discover Lost Nation
Established 1872
Population: 434 (-12)

Charlotte, Iowa
Charlotte, Iowa
CHARLOTTE
Est. 1853
Welcomes You
Population: 389 (-5)

Calamus, Iowa
Calamus, Iowa
WELCOME TO CALAMUS
A Community that Cares
Population: 356 (-83)

Low Moor, Iowa
Low Moor, Iowa
WELCOME TO LOW MOOR
Biggest Little Town in Iowa
Population: 250 (-38)

Goose Lake, Iowa
Goose Lake, Iowa
THE CITY OF GOOSE LAKE
Welcomes You!
Population: 239 (-1)

Welton, Iowa
Welton, Iowa
THE CITY OF WELTON
Welcomes You!
Population: 121 (-44)

Andover, Iowa
Andover, Iowa
Welcome to ANDOVER
The Friendly Community!
Population: 109 (+6)

Toronto, Iowa
Toronto, Iowa
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church
Toronto, Iowa
Population: 102 (-22)

I really struggled with this county. It is just a collection of solid, but not particularly great signs. Toronto obviously has the worst because it isn’t even a town sign. It is a church sign.

But who gets the purple ribbon. I like the town signs of Welton and Low Moor, and Lost Nation, and Andover, and Delmar, and Andover, and Charlotte, and Calamus, but I don’t love any of them. But truth is that I don’t love any of them. If it was a primary sign, I would give it to the Calamus alternate, but I’m going to give it to Low Moor, because the triangles in the design fascinate me.


Low Moor, Iowa
Low Moor – Best in Show – Clinton County

There is only one alternate town sign in Clinton County, although I’m sure there is more than one town sign in Clinton that I missed, but I might search the town again at some point in the future.


Calamus, Iowa
Calamus – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Low Moor, Iowa
Best in Show – Clinton County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Leighton, Iowa
Best in Show – Mahaska County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will flip over to the other side of the state and take on Pottawattamie County.

TOWN SIGN PROJECT: MAHASKA COUNTY

A few weeks back I tooled around Mahaska County with Teresa harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip.

Here are some facts about Mahaska County:

+ Population is 22,190 making it the 28th most populous county in Iowa. Below Washington County and above Buena Vista County.
+ The county seat and largest town is Oskaloosa.
+ Formed in February of 1843.
+ Named after Chief Mahaska of the Iowa tribe.
+ Home of William Penn University.
+ Major highways are US-63, IA-23, IA-92, IA-163, IA-146, and IA-149.
+ Adjacent counties are Jasper, Poweshiek, Keokuk, Wapello, Monroe, and Marion.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 34,273.

Mahaska County has a cool looking courthouse:


Mahaska County Courthouse
The Mahaska County Courthouse located in Oskalooa, Iowa.

The Mahaska County Freedom Rock is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa:


Mahaska County Freedom Rock

Mahaska County Freedom Rock

Mahaska County Freedom Rock

Mahaska County Freedom Rock

Mahaska County Freedom Rock

With Mahaska County completed, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 56 Colunties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

56 counties completed. 56.6% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Eddyville is partially in Monroe County and partially in Mahaska County and partially in Wapello County. My eyeball assessment says that the plurality of it is in Wapello County, so I will reveal its town sign with the Wapello County harvest.

Here are the town signs of Mahaska County:


Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa
PRIDE, PROGRESS, AND TRADITION
Population: 11,558 (+95)

New Sharon, Iowa
New Sharon, Iowa
Welcome to New Sharon
Est. 1856
Population: 1,262 (-31)

Fremont, Iowa
Fremont, Iowa
FREMONT
Population: 708 (-35)

University Park, Iowa
University Park, Iowa
the City of University Park
Welcome home!
Population: 487 (0)

Beacon, Iowa
Beacon, Iowa
Welcome to BEACON
Est. 1874
Population: 445 (-49)

Leighton, Iowa
Leighton, Iowa
WELCOME TO LEIGHTON
“A Little Bit of Town & County”
Est. 1865
Population: 158 (-4)

Rose Hill, Iowa
Rose Hill, Iowa
WELCOME TO ROSE HILL
Population: 157 (-11)

Barnes City, Iowa
Barnes City, Iowa (Partially Poweshiek)
WELCOME TO BARNES CITY
HOME OF LAKE HAWTHORN
Population: 156 (-20)

Keomah Village, Iowa
Keomah Village, Iowa
Keomah Village
Population: 110 (+26)

The worst town sign in Mahaska County is a true no-brainer. It is Beacon. I would go so far as to say that Beacon has the worst town sign I’ve seen, where it felt like the town was actually trying. The design elements, just awful by themselves, but then you put them together… it is the thing nightmares are made of. But a special demerit for the Oskaloosa sign that made it practically impossible to read the town slogan on the sign.

For me, the purple ribbon for Mahaska County is a three horse race. Rose Hill, Keomah Village, and Leighton. In the end, I’m going to give it to Leighton for the great artwork AND a snappy town slogan.


Leighton, Iowa
Leighton- Best in Show – Mahaska County

I will put this caveat out there though. After I harvested these town signs, I learned from my Instagram friend @runner4life that the unincorporated town of Indianapolis has a pretty great town sign. I don’t pursue unincorporated towns unless they are on my route, so I didn’t visit Indianapolis. However, I plan on harvesting that sign when I harvest Wapello County. So this is one Best in Show that could possibly change.

There is only one alternate sign in Mahaska County:


Keomah Village, Iowa
Keomah Village – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Leighton, Iowa
Best in Show – Mahaska County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

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

Monona County Auxiliary Images

A few weeks back a tooled around Monona County and part of Harrison County harvesting town signs. Here is a collection of the auxiliary images I took on that trip:


Monona County - Ute
The correct color tractor.

Monona County - Whiting
Restaurant & Malt Shop. Goodtime Charlie indeed!

Monona County - Whiting
They don’t make numbers high enough to count the number of drunk people that would hit this thing if it was in Boone.

Monona County - Whiting

Lewis and Clark State Park
Lewis and Clark State Park

Monona County - Onawa
Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa

Monona County - Onawa
Onawa claims to have the widest main street in America. 150 feet wide. Eskimo pie was also born here.

Monona County - Turin
Turin

Monona County - Castana
Castana

Monona County - Castana

Monona County - Castana

Monona County - Castana

Monona County - Castana

Monona County - Castana

Monona County - Turin
Turin, again.

Monona County - Turin

Monona County - Turin

Monona County - Blencoe
Blencoe

Harrison County - River Sioux
River Sioux

Harrison County - Little Sioux
Little Sioux

Harrison County - Little Sioux

Harrison County - Loess Hills

Harrison County - Pisgah
Pisgah

Harrison County - Loess Hills

Here is a little more information on the Turin Man from clio.com:

In 1955, a skeleton was discovered in a gravel pit near Turin, Iowa. Experts first proposed that these remains were about 10,000 years old, going back to the “early people” of the ice age era. As archaeologists continued to excavate, they found in succession three more human skeletons. After months of rigorous reconstruction of the remains and scientific testing, experts concluded that the skeletons were likely a family unit about 6,000 years old. The site provided evidence of prehistoric burial practices with many similarities to ancient burials found throughout the eastern United States. The skeletons found here in Turin were the oldest human remains discovered in the state until August of 2011, when archaeologists excavated a 7,000 year old village in Des Moines.

Next set of auxiliary images we will peek at are from Shelby and Mills counties.

Town Sign Project: Monroe County

A few weeks back I hit the open road with Teresa and harvested the town signs of Monroe County.

Here are some facts about Monroe County:

+ Population is 7,577 making it the 87th most populous county in Iowa. Putting it behind Decatur County and above Adair County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Albia.
+ Originally named Kishkekosh County after the Meskwaki Chief. Renamed for James Monroe, 5th President of the United States.
+ Site of Buxton, the largest town with a majority black population in the early 20th century.
+ Major highways are US-34, IA-5, and IA-137.
+ Adjacent counties are Marion, Mahaska, Wapello, Appanoose, and Lucas.
+ Population peaked in 1910 at 25,429.

The Monroe County Courthouse is gorgeous:


Monroe County Courthouse
The Monroe County Courthouse in Albia, Iowa.

The Monroe County Freedom Rock is located in Albia, Iowa.


Monroe County Freedom Rock

Monroe County Freedom Rock

Monroe County Freedom Rock

With Monroe County completed, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 55 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

55 counties completed. 55.6% of the Cyclone State conquered!

There are 5 incorporated towns in Monroe County. However, Eddyville is barely in Monroe County and is mostly in Mahaska County and Wapello County, so we will cover it at a later date. Moravia is also ever so slightly in Monroe County, but 99.9% of it is in Appanoose County. So we will also cover it at a later date. That leaves Monroe County with only 3 towns.

Here are the town signs of Monroe County:


Albia, Iowa
Albia, Iowa
ALBIA
SINCE 1846
Population: 3,721 (-45)

Lovilia, Iowa
Lovilia, Iowa
Lovilia
Established 1853
Population: 472 (-66)

Melrose, Iowa
Melrose, Iowa
Welcome to Melrose
Iowa’s Little Ireland
Population: 112 (-2)

Georgetown, Iowa - Unincorporated
Georgetown, Iowa – Unincorporated
WELCOME TO GEORGETOWN

I don’t even think this one is open to discussion. The monorail sales man of US-34 got Albia. Lovilia is also snoozer. Meanwhile, Melrose brings the heat! I loved the town of Melrose. Not only does it have a great sign, they have a monument in their town park for their 1937 high school basketball team that won the state championship that they claim was the best high school team in Iowa history. Although I think the Ames High team with Harrison Barnes and Doug McDermott might have something to say about that. They also have their own blarney stone. That makes two Iowa towns that I know of that have their own blarney stone.


Melrose, Iowa
Melrose – Best in Show – Monroe County

Melrose also had a few alternate signs:


Melrose, Iowa
Melrose – Alternate

Melrose, Iowa
Melrose – Alternate

Melrose, Iowa
Melrose – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will end up in Mahaska County.

Southwest Iowa Auxiliary Images Vol. 6

Here is the final collection of auxiliary images I took on a couple of road trips to southwest Iowa to harvest town signs. Most of these are in Page County, but a few are in Ringgold County.


Page County - Clarinda
Clarinda

Page County - Clarinda

Page County - Clarinda

Page County - Shambaugh
Shambaugh

Page County - Shambaugh
While the Facebook algorithm is destroying humanity, this robot is out there doing God’s work.

Page County - College Springs
College Springs

Page County - Blanchard
Blanchard

Page County - Blanchard

Page County - Blanchard

Page County - Northboro
Northboro

Page County

Page County - Coin
Coin

Page County - Coin

Page County - Coin

Page County - Coin

Page County - Clarinda
Clarinda again

Page County

Page County

Ringgold County
Maloy

Ringgold County

Ringgold County

Ringgold County

Ringgold County - Benton
Benton

Ringgold County

Once again, those towns, I think are correct, but it has been awhile since I made these road trips. Next time we look at some auxiliary images, it will involve Monona County.

Town Sign Project: Cedar County

A few weeks back I made a solo road trip to harvest the town signs of Cedar County.

Here are some facts about Cedar County:

+ Population is 18,505 making it the 38th most populous county in Iowa. Below Poweshiek County and above Dickinson County.
+ Tipton is the largest town and county seat.
+ Formed on December 21, 1837. Named for the Cedar River.
+ Birthplace of President Herbert Hoover.
+ Major highways are I-80, US-6, US-30, IA-28, and IA-130.
+ Adjacent counties are: Jones, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine, Johnson, and Linn.
+ Population peaked in 1870 at 19,731.

The Cedar County Courthouse isn’t much to look at:


Cedar County Courthouse
The Cedar County Courthouse in Tipton, Iowa.

The Cedar County Freedom Rock is located in Tipton, Iowa, right next to the courthouse:


Cedar County Freedom Rock

Cedar County Freedom Rock

Cedar County Freedom Rock

Cedar County Freedom Rock

With Cedar County completed, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 54 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLTED

54 counties completed. 54.5% of the Cyclone State conquered!

One note before we get into the town signs of Cedar County. I normally don’t consider a mural to be a town sign unless it is the only town sign in the town, or it is at the busiest intersection entering that town. The amount of high quality murals in Cedar County has made me rethink this policy somewhat.

Another note, Wilton is slightly in Cedar County, but just slightly. I will hold onto that town sign until I harvest the rest of Muscatine County.

Here are the town signs of Cedar County:


Tipton, Iowa
Tipton, Iowa
TIPTON
EST. 1840
Population: 3,149 (-72)

West Branch, Iowa
West Branch, Iowa (Partially in Johnson County)
BIRTHPLACE of HERBERT HOOVER
Historic West Branch
Population: 2,509 (+187)

Durant, Iowa
Durant, Iowa
welcome to DURANT
Population: 1,871 (+39)

Clarence, Iowa
Clarence, Iowa
CLARENCE
“WELCOMES YOU”
Population: 1,039 (+65)

Mechanicsville, Iowa
Mechanicsville, Iowa
HEAVEN AMONGST THE CEDARS
MECHANICSVILLE, IOWA
Population: 1,020 (-126)

Lowden, Iowa
Lowden, Iowa
Welcome to LOWDEN
incorporated 1869
Population: 807 (+18)

Stanwood, Iowa
Stanwood, Iowa
WELCOM TO STANWOOD
1869
Population: 637 (-47)

Bennett, Iowa
Bennett, Iowa
BENNETT
Population: 347 (-58)

For the most part, I don’t think there is a bad town sign in Cedar County. If there are any that just bore me, they are the town signs of Tipton and Durant.

I think that the best town sign in Cedar County is really a no-brainer. While Bennett is the best named town in Iowa and I do love their sign, I have to give it to Lowden.


Lowden, Iowa
Lowden – Best in Show – Cedar County

There were a few alternate town signs in Cedar County:


West Branch, Iowa
West Branch – Alternate

West Branch, Iowa
West Branch – Alternate

Tipton, Iowa
Tipton – Alternate

Tipton, Iowa
Tipton- Alternate

Stanwood, Iowa
Stanwood – Alternate

Lowden, Iowa
Lowden – Alternate

Lowden, Iowa
Lowden – Alternate

Durant, Iowa
Durant – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

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

Southwest Iowa Auxiliary Images Vol. 5

It is time once again for another collection of auxiliary images I took the couple of times I went to southwest Iowa to harvest some town signs. I’m pretty sure all the towns are lines up correctly this time, but it was a long time ago. All these pictures were taken in Taylor County.


Taylor County - Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg

Taylor County - Sharpsburg

Taylor County - Sharpsburg

Taylor County - Sharpsburg

Taylor County - Sharpsburg

Taylor County - Gravity
Gravity

Taylor County - Gravity

Taylor County - Gravity

Taylor County - Gravity

Taylor County - Gravity

Taylor County - Gravity

Taylor County - Gravity

Taylor County - Gravity

Taylor County - Bedford
Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - Bedford

Taylor County - New Market
New Market

Taylor County - New Market

I still have one more collection of images to share from this area of the state.

Town Sign Project: Jones County

A few weeks back I made a road trip with Michelle to harvest the town signs of Jones County.

Here are some facts about Jones County:

+ The population is 20,760 making it the 31st most populous county in Iowa. Below Carroll County and above Buchanan County.
+ Anamosa is the largest town and county seat.
+ Was founded in 1837 and is named after George Wallace Jones.
+ Home of Anamosa State Penitentiary.
+ Major highways are: US-151, IA-1, IA-38, IA-64, and IA-136.
+ Adjacent counties are Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, Clinton, Cedar, and Linn.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 21,954.

The Jones County Courthouse is pretty meh:


Jones County Courthouse
The Jones County Courthouse in Anamosa, Iowa.

The Jones County Freedom Rock is located in Stone City, Iowa:


Jones County Freedom Rock

Jones County Freedom Rock

Jones County Freedom Rock

Jones County Freedom Rock

With Jones County completed, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 53 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

53 counties completed. 53.5% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Jones County:


Anamosa, Iowa
Anamosa, Iowa
ANAMOSA
BIRTHPLACE OF GRANT WOOD
*MUSEUMS
*ANTIQUES
NEXT EXIT
Population: 5,450 (-83)

Monticello, Iowa
Monticello, Iowa
MONTICELLO
Population: 3,796 (+244)

Cascade, Iowa
Cascade, Iowa (Partially in Dubuque County)
CASCADE
Population: 2,386 (+227)

Olin, Iowa
Olin, Iowa
WELCOME TO OLIN
SINCE 1835
Stop for a Visit… Stay for a Lifetime!
Population: 651 (-47)

Wyoming, Iowa
Wyoming, Iowa
Welcome To WYOMING
The Christmas City
Population: 523 (+8)

Oxford Junction, Iowa
Oxford Junction, Iowa
OXFORD JUNCTION
EST. 1871
Population: 424 (-72)

Martelle, Iowa
Martelle, Iowa
WELCOME TO MARTELLE
The small town with the BIG Heart!
Population: 249 (-6)

Onslow, Iowa
Onslow, Iowa
Welceome to Onslow
Est. 1871
Population: 201 (+4)

Morley, Iowa
Morely, Iowa
1925
MORLEY
Population: 966 (-15)

Stone City, Iowa
Stone City, Iowa (Unincorporated)
STONE CITY

I don’t know there is necessarily a terrible sign in this collection. If there is a worst sign, I guess I’d give it to Monticello. But Cascade is equally as boring.

For Best in Show, I think it is pretty obvious. While I like the town signs in Martelle, Olin, Oxford Junction and Morley for just being so weird, I have to give it to Anamosa.


Anamosa, Iowa
Anamosa – Best in Show – Jones County

There are a couple alternate signs in Jones County:


Onslow, Iowa
Onslow – Alternate

Olin, Iowa
Olin – Alternate

Monticello, Iowa
Monticello – Alternate

Cascade, Iowa
Cascade – Alternate

Cascade, Iowa
Cascade – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the dusty trail for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will end up in Cedar County.

Southwest Iowa Auxiliary Images Vol. 4

It is time once again to share some auxiliary images from the couple of times I went to southwest Iowa to harvest some town signs. Once again, I think I have the towns lined up correctly, but this trip was awhile ago and I went to a ton of towns.


Ringgold County - Mount Ayr
This is not a Freedom Rock. But it is a rock and appears to be done by the same artist. Bonus rock.

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr
Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr

Ringgold County - Mount Ayr
I am going to eat here at some point.

Ringgold County - Diagonal
Diagonal – This town houses the county’s Freedom Rock.

Ringgold County - Diagonal

Ringgold County - Diagonal

Ringgold County - Clearfield
Clearfield

Ringgold County - Clearfield

Ringgold County - Clearfield

Ringgold County - Clearfield

I still have at least one more collection of images from this road trip to share.