Category Archives: Road Trip

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

Buchanan County Aux – Vol. 3

November 16, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

This is the final collection of auxiliary images I took on my road trip to harvest the town signs of Buchanan County. It is pretty county with plenty of interesting things to see. And not even included in this series of pictures is perhaps the greatest tourist attraction of Buchanan County. Iowa’s Largest Frying Pan in Brandon.

Here is the final collection of images:

Aurora

Lamont

Dundee

Masonville

Quasqueton

Rowley

Two things:

#1. I wouldn’t want to use an outhouse after a sasquatch.
#2. The Rowley Fire and Rescue sign doesn’t fill me with much confidence in their abilities.

The next time we hit the open road for auxiliary pictures from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Delaware County.

Art, History, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Dubuque County

November 15, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Dubuque County is a large county. It has almost the most, maybe the most incorporated towns in Iowa. It is an absolutely beautiful county. Also, of all the “cities” in Iowa, Dubuque is my favorite. It is a river city, but not filthy like most river cities. Plus it has interesting things to do and the natural beauty and the community art is hard to beat.

Here are some facts about Dubuque County:
+ Population is 98,718. Making it the 9th most populous county in Iowa. Below Story County and above Pottawattamie County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Dubuque.
+ Established in 1834 as part of the Michigan Territory. Then became part of the Wisconsin Territory in 1836. Then part of the Iowa Territory in 1838.
+ The city of Dubuque was chartered in 1833. It was the first city in Dubuque.
+ Named for French trader Julien Dubuque, the first European settler of Iowa.
+ Home of Mines of Spain State Park, one of the prettiest stater parks in Iowa.
+ Home of the Fenelon Place Elevator.
+ Home of the Field of Dreams.
+ Home of University of Dubuque, Clarke University, Loras College, Emmaus Bible College and Divine Word College.
+ Major highways are: US-20, US-151, US-52, US-61, IA-3, IA-32, and IA-136.
+ Adjacent counties are: Clayton, Jackson, Jones, and Delaware.
+ Currently at peak population.

Dubuque County has a beautiful courthouse:

The Dubuque County Courthouse located in Dubuque, Iowa.

The Dubuque County Freedom Rock is located in Epworth, Iowa:

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

97 counties completed. 98% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Dubuque County:

Dubuque, Iowa
DUBUQUE, IOWA
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Population: 59,667 (+2,030)

Asbury, Iowa
CITY OF Asbury
Welcomes You!
Population: 5,943 (+1,773)

Dyersville, Iowa – Partially in Delaware County
Welcome to Dyersville
Population: 4,477 (+419)

Epworth, Iowa
Welcome To EPWORTH
Population: 2,023 (+163)

Peosta, Iowa
Welcome to
Peosta
CROSSROADS TO THE FUTURE
Population: 1,908 (+531)

Farley, Iowa
FARLEY
welcomes you
Heart of the Cornbelt
Population: 1,766 (+229)

New Vienna, Iowa
WELCOME TO NEW VIENNA
THE eNVy OF IOWA
Population: 382 (-25)

Worthington, Iowa
WELCOME TO WORTHINGTON
Population: 382 (-19)

Holy Cross, Iowa
Welcome to Holy Cross
Population: 356 (-18)

Luxemburg, Iowa
Welcome To LUXEMBURG
Where Highways Meet
Population: 245 (+5)

Rickardsville, Iowa
Rickardsville
Welcomes You
Population: 202 (+20)

Sherrill, Iowa
Welcome To SHERRILL
Iowa’s Beautiful Hill Top Community
Population: 189 (+12)

Centralia, Iowa
CENTRALIA
Population: 116 (-18)

Bernard, Iowa
WELCOME To BERNARD
Est. 1880
Population: 114 (+2)

Sageville, Iowa
SAGEVILLE
Population: 95 (-27)

Zwingle, Iowa – Partially in Jackson County
WELCOME To ZWINGLE
Settled 1846
Population: 84 (-7)

Balltown, Iowa
Welcome To Balltown
Population: 79 (+11)

Graf, Iowa
WELCOME TO GRAF
Population: 76 (-3)

Bankston, Iowa
BANKSTON PARK RD
Population: 23 (-2)

Durango, Iowa
DURANGO
Population: 20 (-2)

Dubuque has a very solid collection of town signs. The only ones I think are bad are the ones that aren’t real town signs. Like Centralia and Bankston and Sageville. But the worst is clearly Bankston. Best I could find is a street sign that had the town name in it.

The best of show is a little harder. I really like the town signs of Worthington and Sherrill and Farley and Durango and Holy Cross and Luxemburg and even Dubuque. I also love the sign for New Vienna, but I have to give the purple ribbon to Rickardsville!

Rickardsville – Best in Show – Dubuque County

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

Peosta – Alternate

Farley – Alternate

New Vienna – 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

Best in Show – Des Moines County

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

Best in Show – Dubuque 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 – Henry 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 – Jefferson County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Lee County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Louisa 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 – Muscatine 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 – Van Buren 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 hit the open roads of Scott County.

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

Buchanan County Aux – Vol. 2

November 12, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Time for the second collection of auxiliary images I took while cruising around Buchanan County harvesting their town signs. A lot of these are still of the mill in Independence. Which is very photogenic and also doubles as a museum for local history. I recommend visiting it if you are in the area.

Independence

Hazleton

Stanley

Aurora

I still can’t put into words how much I love the Tin Man town sign in Stanley, Iowa. It will definitely be included in the book. The book that I will need to start making a rough outline for here in the new future. I need to set a goal date for when I want to have it done by. That will help make sure it is finished. That and the great team of people I have assembled to help me put it together. You know who you are.

Art, Black & White, Christianity, History, Road Trip, Still Life

Buchanan County Aux – Vol. 1

November 9, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

A few months back I cruised around Buchanan County and harvested their town signs. Buchanan County is a beautiful county and there was many things there to photograph. This is the first collection of auxiliary images from that trip. They were all taken in Independence.

I really liked Independence. I will definitely go back there again in the future. They have a mental health museum that I would like to visit at some time. There still are more images to share from this road trip.

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Des Moines County

November 8, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

A couple months back I cruised around Des Moines County harvesting their town signs. It was definitely a good trip and a county I would visit again.

Here are some facts about Des Moines County:
+ Population is 38,491 making it the 16th most populous county in Iowa. Below Marshall County and above Jasper County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Burlington.
+ Formed in September 1834 as part of the Michigan Territory. Became part of the Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838.
+ Named after the Des Moines River.
+ Home of letters written by Anne Frank to a pen pal she had in Danville.
+ Home of the Iowa Ammunition Plant.
+ Home of the “World’s Crookedest Street”. Snake Alley.
+ Major highways are: US-34 and US-61.
+ Adjacent counties are: Louisa, Lee, and Henry.
+ Population peaked in 1970 at 46,982.

Des Moines County has a pretty meh courthouse:

The Des Moines County Courthouse located in Burlington, Iowa.

The Des Moines County Freedom Rock is located in Mediapolis, Iowa.

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

96 counties completed. 97% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Des Moines County:

Burlington, Iowa
Welcome To Historic Downtown BURLINGTON
Population: 23,982 (-1,671)

West Burlington, Iowa
Welcome To BURLINGTON
WEST BURLINGTON
Population: 3,197 (+229)

Mediapolis, Iowa
Mediapolis
Population: 1,688 (+128)

Danville, Iowa
HOME OF THE DANVILLE BEARS
STATE CHAMPIONS
Population: 927 (-7)

Middletown, Iowa
WELCOME TO MIDDLETOWN
POP. 386 EST. NOV. 1847
HOME OF THE IOWA ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT
Population: 363 (+45)

Des Moines County is one of the weakest collection of town signs out there. None of them are exactly terrible, but none of them are great. If I have to give out a last place, I’ll give it to Danville cause that is more of a school sign than a town sign.

The purple ribbon is pretty obvious. No need for suspense. Best of Show goes to Middletown.

Middletown – Best in Show – Des Moines County

There was only one alternate town sign in Des Moines County:

Middletown – 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

Best in Show – Des Moines 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 – Henry 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 – Jefferson County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Lee County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Louisa 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 – Muscatine 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 – Van Buren 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 hit the open roads of Dubuque County.

Art, Jorge, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Louisa County

November 1, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

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

Here are some facts about Louisa County:
+ Population is 10,749. Making it the 67th most populous county in Iowa. Below Cherokee County and above Hancock County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Wapello.
+ Formed on December 7, 1836 as part of the Wisconsin Territory. Became part of the Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838.
+ Either named after Louisa Massey or named after Louisa County, Virginia. I like to think it was named after Louisa Massey cause that would make it one of only a couple of counties named after a woman and because Louisa Massey’s fame came from avenging the murder of her brother by shooting the person that murdered him.
+ Boyhood home of Jorge Rios.
+ Home of the Columbus Junction Swinging Bridge.
+ Major highways are: US-61, UIA-70, IA-78, and IA-92.
+ Adjacent counties are: Johnson, Muscatine, Des Moines, Henry, and Washington.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 13,516.

Louisa County has a boring looking courthouse. Looks like an elementary school I went to:

The Louisa County Courthouse located in Wapello, Iowa.

The Louisa County Freedom Rock is located in Grandview, Iowa:

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

95 counties completed. 96% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Louisa County:

Wapello, Iowa
WAPELLO
Est. 1856
Population: 2,084 (+17)

Columbus Junction, Iowa
Welcome to Columbus Junction
Population: 1,830 (-69)

Morning Sun, Iowa
MORNING SUN
Population: 752 (-84)

Grandview, Iowa
City Of Grandview
WELCOMES YOU
Population: 437 (-119)

Columbus City, Iowa
Welcome TO COLUMBUS CITY
EST. 1841
Population: 392 (-1)

Letts, Iowa
Welcome to LETTS
POP. 374
Population: 363 (-21)

Welcome to FREDONIA
Est 1836
Home of the Convict Road
Population: 222 (-22)

Oakville, Iowa
A Peaceful Place BETWEEN TWO RIVERS
OAKVILLE
Population: 200 (+27)

Cotter, Iowa
COTTER TOWN HALL
Population: 39 (-9)

Cario, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome Historic CAIRO
1835
THE SPIRIT OF CAIRO LIVES ON IN OUR HEARTS

Louisa County has a solid but not spectacular collection of signs. Last place is pretty obvious, it belongs to Columbus Junction that doesn’t even have a real town sign. Just some banners hanging from their light poles.

I’m a fan of the Fredonia sign. The Cairo sign. The Letts sign. The Grandview sign. But the purple ribbon has to go to Morning Sun!

Morning Sun – Best in Show – Louisa County

There was only one alternate town sign in Louisa County:

Morning Sun – 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 – Henry 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 – Jefferson County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Lee County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Louisa 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 – Muscatine 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 – Van Buren 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 hit the open roads of Des Moines County.

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

Chickasaw and Howard County Aux – Vol. 5

October 29, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

This is the final collection of pictures I took on my trip around Chickasaw County and Howard County harvesting their town signs. These pictures are kind of taken all over the place. Winneshiek County. Howard County. Chickasaw County. Bremer County. Franklin County. It was a great trip!

Old Stone Church

Protivin

New Hampton

Fredericksburg

Bremer

Waverly

Hampton

If you are wondering about the memorial about the young woman who was murdered in 1992, here are some details:

Early on Monday, September 7, 1992, Rhonda Anette Knutson was murdered while working the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. shift at the Phillips 66 convenience store in Williamstown, Iowa, in Chickasaw County.

The store manager found Knutson’s body Monday morning around 4:45 a.m. in a room near the back of the store.

The Williamstown store was open 24 hours a day and located six miles south of New Hampton on U.S. Highway 63 and one-quarter mile north of highway junctions 63, 18, and 346.

An autopsy concluded Knutson died after being bludgeoned to death, and there were no signs of sexual assault.

According to the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, Knutson suffered severe traumatic head injuries from a beating with a blunt object. Robbery was not considered a motive in the slaying.

Knutson seemed to thoroughly enjoy working the overnight shift at the store and had met her current boyfriend, Al Wolf, three years earlier while working there. The couple had moved in together two years before Knutson’s death, and lived in rural Tripoli, about 16 miles southeast of the Phillips 66 store.

Wolf drove a local creamery truck, and Rhonda enjoyed accompanying him to motocross racing events and local demolition derbies.

The investigation into her death included hundreds of interviews by deputies and agents from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), along with employing a private investigator and several psychics.

Reward and Hunt for Two Suspects Hits Dead End

A Cedar Rapids Gazette article published the day after Knutson’s murder identified a suspect — a trucker — sought for questioning in the case.

Three days later on Sept. 11, the Gazette published composite sketches of two suspects — both believed to be truckers — whom witnesses allegedly saw in the convenience store the morning Knutson was killed.

The Gazette described both men as heavy-set Caucasians with dark hair, and between the ages of 35 and 45. Witnesses described the first suspect as having a beard and mustache, and pulling a white and silver trailer behind a conventional tractor.

They described the second suspect as clean-shaven, though couldn’t link him to any specific vehicle.

Chickasaw County Sheriff Tom Bernatz printed and mailed out over 1,500 news bulletins about the case to truck stops throughout the US in efforts to generate more leads.

By December 21, the reward for information leading to an arrest in the case had reached $9,000; the Gazette reported that eight banks in northeast Iowa had pledged $7,500 toward the reward, with another $1,500 coming in from private citizens.

Special Prosecutor assigned to review case
Seven years after Knutson’s murder, Chickasaw County Attorney Rich TeKippe assigned Thomas H. Miller, assistant attorney general, as a special prosecutor to review information in Knutson’s murder investigation.

In a Mason City Globe-Gazette article published September 3, 1999, Robert Brammer, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said Miller — who’d successfully prosecuted many murder cases in the state — was one of the most experienced homicide specialists working in the AG’s office.

TeKippe said local law enforcement’s interest in solving Knutson’s murder has never waned, but that the lack of progress had frustrated them.

Still, TeKippe expressed hope that a “particularly damning piece of evidence might still be found that would allow the complexion of this investigation to change for the good.”

On the 20th anniversary of Knutson’s death, family members lovingly remembered the young victim known for her creative, free spirit.

“She was just a great person. She would do anything for anybody,” Knutson’s sister Renae Engel said in a New Hampton Tribune article dated September 7, 2012.

Engel said the anniversary of her sister’s death is always a difficult reminder.

“It’s one of those days when you have no ambition and you don’t want to do anything,” she told the Tribune.

The convenience store no longer exists, and the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek information related to Knutson’s death.

Iowa Cold Cases website founder Jody Ewing said when she began researching Iowa’s unsolved murders for inclusion on the site, the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office was one of just a handful of law enforcement agencies that listed unsolved homicides on its website.

Rhonda’s case remains listed there yet today.

When the Iowa DCI established a Cold Case Unit in 2009, Knutson’s murder was also one of approximately 150 cases listed on the Cold Case Unit’s new website as those the DCI hoped to solve using latest advancements in DNA technology.

Although federal grant funding for the DCI Cold Case Unit was exhausted in December 2011, the DCI continues to assign agents to investigate cold cases as new leads develop or as technological advances allow for additional forensic testing of original evidence.

The DCI remains committed to resolving Iowa’s cold cases and will continue to work diligently with local law enforcement partners to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice for the victims and their families.

About Rhonda Knutson
Rhonda Anette Knutson was born October 19, 1969, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Mary Virginia (Marvin) and Nels Harvey Knutson. She died September 7, 1992.

Rhonda attended school in New Hampton and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1988.

She enjoyed working with people, loved art, and had many friends.

Rhonda was one of seven siblings, and her sister Renae described her as a “great aunt” who always seemed to have something going on.

Memorial services were held on September 11, 1992, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. More than 500 family members and friends attended the services to pay tribute to Rhonda.

Rhonda was survived by her parents Mary and Nels Knutson; four brothers, Robert Alan, Roger Arthur, Richard Alvie and Rodney Ahern Knutson; and two sisters, Renae Arlene and Rochelle Ann.

Nels Knutson passed away on Nov. 28, 2006, without ever seeing his daughter’s killer brought to justice.

This information was taken from iowacoldcases.org and was compiled by Jody Ewing.

The next time we hit the open road for auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will hit the open roads of Buchanan County.

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

Chickasaw and Howard County Aux – Vol. 4

October 26, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

A few months back I cruised around Chickasaw County and Howard County harvesting their town signs. The majority of the pictures from today’s collection were taken in Howard County in Cresco. Which is a cool little town, despite being so into wrestling. The Old Stone Church pictures were taken in Winneshiek County. It is in the middle of the country just across the border from Howard County.

I will have to go back and photograph that Old Stone Church again some day. It is very photogenic. Stone ruins out in a beautiful Iowa countryside. What isn’t to love?

Cresco

I’m curious what highway they are portraying going through Des Moines. My guess is 6.

Great name for an ice cream shop!

I’ve seen lots of towns with tanks or planes or helicopters or big guns, but WWI Mine?

Old Stone Church

I would definitely like to visit Cresco again and spend some more time there. It is on the list!

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Van Buren County

October 25, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

A couple months back I cruised around Van Buren County harvesting their town signs. Van Buren County is interesting because it is a collection of old villages more than towns. I don’t even know if that makes sense, but that is how they view themselves. Either way, there is lots of cool history in Van Buren County and cool little villages.

Here are some facts about Van Buren County:
+ Population is 7,243, making it the 90th most populous county in Iowa. Below Worth County and above Pocahontas County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Keosauqua.
+ Formed on December 7, 1836 as part of the Wisconsin Territory. Was split off from Des Moines County. Became part of the Iowa territory on July 4, 1838.
+ Named after President Martin Van Buren, who was considered the first forgettable American President.
+ The site of The Honey War. When a bunch of thugs from Missouri tried to invade Iowa and steal honey from Iowa’s delicious honey trees. The Iowans quickly kicked their ass back to their loser state. The conflict (mostly over the border between the state) was mostly decided in 1846 when Congress ruled in Iowa’s favor. Suck it “show me state”.
+ Home of Iowa’s oldest active courthouse. Second oldest in the nation.
+ Major highways are: IA-1, IA-2, IA-16, and IA-98.
+ Adjacent counties are: Jefferson, Henry, Lee, and Davis.
+ Population peaked in 1870 at 17,672.

The Van Buren County Courthouse is okay looking:

The Van Buren County Courthouse located in Keosauqua, Iowa.

The Van Buren County Freedom Rock is located in Stockport, Iowa:

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

94 counties completed. 94.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Van Buren County:

Keosauqua, Iowa
Keosauqua
established 1839
Population: 936 (-70)

Farmington, Iowa
Welcome To Farmington, Iowa
“Oldest Village in Van Buren County:
Home of The Strawberry Festival
2nd Weekend in June
Population: 579 (-85)

Milton, Iowa
WELCOME TO MILTON
EST. 1851
Population: 380 (-63)

Birmingham, Iowa
BIRMINGHAM
GATEWAY TO SCENIC VAN BUREN COUNTY
Population: 367 (-81)

Bonaparte, Iowa
BONAPARTE
founded 1837
IOWA
WELCOME TO A NATIONAL HISTORIC DIST.
A VILLAGE OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
Population: 359 (-84)

Stockport, Iowa
EST. 1887
Population: 272 (-24)

Cantril, Iowa
VILLAGE OF CANTRIL
EST. 1872
Population: 224 (+2)

Selma, Iowa – Unincorporated
SELMA
52588

Leando, Iowa – Unincorporated
WELCOME TO LEANDO, IA
EST. 1838

Douds, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome to DOUDS IOWA
Est. 1866
Home of DOUDS STONE LLC
Since 1926

Bentonsport, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome to Bentonsport

Van Buren County has a truly great collection of town signs. Definitely a Top 5 County in this respect. I can’t pick a bad one.

But what town gets the purple ribbon? I love so many of them. I love the Milton sign and the Keosauqua sign and the Cantril sign. But I’m going to have to give the Best in Show prize to Bonaparte.

Bonaparte – Best in Show – Van Buren County

There are a few alternate town signs in Van Buren County:

Milton – Alternate

Keosauqua – Alternate

Douds – Alternate

Cantril – Alternate

Stockport – 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 – Henry 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 – Jefferson County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Lee 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 – Muscatine 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 – Van Buren 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 Louisa County.

Art, Automobiles, Christianity, Flowers, Nature, Road Trip

Chickasaw and Howard County Aux – Vol. 3

October 23, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

No Formal Portrait Sunday this Sunday. I was in Kansas City for a good chunk of my weekend and busy the rest of it. So I didn’t want to even think about how I’m going to handle formal portraits going forward. That is clearly a decision for next Sunday. Or the Sunday after. It is hard to tell.

What I am going to share now is another collection of pictures from my road trip through Chickasaw and Howard County. All of these pictures were taken in Howard County. Lime Springs. Lidke Park. Chester. Cresco.

Lime Springs

Lidke Park

Chester

Cresco

Believe it or not, there are still more pictures from this road trip left to share. I really like Cresco. It is on my list of towns I’d like to return to and photograph again at some point in the future.