Category Archives: Road Trip

Humboldt County Auxiliary Images

A few weekends back I tooled around Humboldt County and harvested their town sign. Here is a collection of some of the auxiliary images I took on this road trip, including some I took as I went back south threw Calhoun County.


Humboldt County - Humboldt
Humboldt

Humboldt County - Humboldt

Humboldt County - Humboldt

Humboldt County - Humboldt

Humboldt County - Renwick
Renwick

Humboldt County - Renwick

Humboldt County - Renwick

Humboldt County - Renwick

Humboldt County - Renwick

Humboldt County - Renwick

Humboldt County - Renwick

Humboldt County - LuVerne
LuVerne

Humboldt County - LuVerne

Humboldt County - LuVerne

Humboldt County - LuVerne

Humboldt County - LuVerne

Humboldt County - LuVerne

Humboldt County - LuVerne

Humboldt County - LuVerne

Humboldt County - Livermore
Livermore

Humboldt County - Livermore

Humboldt County - Livermore

Humboldt County - Livermore

Humboldt County - Livermore

Humboldt County - Livermore

Humboldt County - Ottosen
Ottosen

Humboldt County - Ottosen

Humboldt County - Ottosen

Humboldt County - Ottosen

Humboldt County - Ottosen

Humboldt County - Ottosen

Humboldt County - Rutland
Rutland

Humboldt County - Rutland

Humboldt County - Gilmore City
Gilmore City

Humboldt County - Gilmore City

Humboldt County - Gilmore City

Humboldt County - Pioneer
Pioneer

Humboldt County - Pioneer

Humboldt County - Pioneer

Humboldt County - Pioneer

Humboldt County - Pioneer

Calhoun County- Somers
Somers?

Humboldt County - Rinard
Rinard

Humboldt County

Calhoun County - Rinard

Calhoun County - Rinard

Calhoun County - Lohrville
Lohrville

Calhoun County - Lohrville

Calhoun County - Lohrville

The next set of auxiliary images to share will mostly come from Calhoun County.

Town Sign Project: Hancock County

A few weeks back I cruised around Hancock County harvesting their town signs. It was a very interesting trip as Hancock County has some very nice towns.

Here are some facts about Hancock County:

+ Population is 10,802 (2019 estimate). Making it the 68th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Louisa County and ahead of Guthrie County.
+ The largest town (entirely in Hancock County) and county seat is Garner.
+ Was established on June 28, 1858.
+ Named after John Hancock, the leader of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution.
+ Home of the World’s Largest Bullhead.
+ Home of a National Hobo Convention.
+ Major highways are: US-18, US-69, and IA-17.
+ Adjacent Counties are: Winnebago, Cerro Gordo, Wright, and Kossuth.
+ Population peaked in 1940 at 15,402.

The Hancock County Courthouse isn’t ugly, but it isn’t much to look at either.


Hancock County Courthouse
The Hancock County Courthouse located in Garner, Iowa.

The Hancock County Freedom Rock is located in Britt, Iowa:


Hancock County Freedom Rock

Hancock County Freedom Rock

Hancock County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 33 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

33 counties completed. 33.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Hancock County:


Forest City, Iowa
Forest City, Iowa – Mostly in Winnebago County
Forest City
Population: 4,151

Garner, Iowa
Garner, Iowa
Welcome to GARNER
EST. 1870
Population: 3,129

Britt, Iowa
Britt, Iowa
BRITT
NATIONAL HOBO CONVENTION
Population: 2,069

Kanawha, Iowa
Kanawha, Iowa
Welcome To… KANAWHA, IOWA
Celebrating 100 Years and still on track!
Population: 652

Klemme, Iowa
Klemme, Iowa
WELCOME TO KLEMME
Population: 507

Corwith, Iowa
Corwith, Iowa
CORWITH
Population: 309

Crystal Lake, Iowa
Crystal Lake, Iowa
Crystal Lake
Home of the world’s largest bullhead
Population: 250

Woden, Iowa
Woden, Iowa
WELCOME TO WODEN
Population: 229

Goodell, Iowa
Goodell, Iowa
LITTLE TOWN
GOODELL
FRIENDLY PEOPLE
Population: 139

Duncan, Iowa - Unincorporated
Duncan, Iowa – Unincorporated

I would say that Hancock County has a solid but not great set of signs. I don’t think there is a bad sign, but Garner’s is the most boring and corporate, so it get worst town sign in Hancock County.

I like the town signs of Goodell, Britt, and Kanawha. I’m going to give Best in Show for Hancock County to Britt for the picture of the hobo:


Britt, Iowa
Britt – Best in Show – Hancock County

There are a few alternate town signs in Hancock County:


Klemme, Iowa
Klemme – Alternate

Klemme, Iowa
Klemme – Alternate

Kanawha, Iowa
Kanawha – Alternate

Goodell, Iowa
Goodell – Alternate

Forest City, Iowa
Forest City – Alternate

Corwith, Iowa
Corwith – Alternate

Britt, Iowa
Britt – Alternate

Britt, Iowa
Britt – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin 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

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

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the dusty trail for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Pocahontas County.

Town Sign Project: Warren County

A few Sundays back I cruised around Warren County with Shannon harvesting their town signs. Yes, the county that many people have wondered why I hadn’t wandered around has been harvested. I was waiting for Shannon to accompany me and assist me on harvesting their town signs as she lives in an unincorporated/ghost town in Warren County.

Here are some facts about Warren County:
+ Population is 50,076 (2019 estimate) making it the 11th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Dallas County and ahead of Clinton County.
+ The county seat and largest town (fully in Warren County) is Indianola.
+ Was formed in 1846.
+ Named after Revolutionary War figure Joseph Warren.
+ Home of Simpson College.
+ Home of the National Balloon Classic.
+ Major highways are I-35, US-65, US-69, IA-5, IA-28, IA-92, and IA-316.
+ Adjacent counties are Polk, Marion, Lucas, Clarke, and Madison.
+ Currently at peak population.

The Warren County Courthouse is currently under construction:


Warren County Courthouse
The Warren County Courthouse located in Indianola, Iowa.

The Warren County Freedom Rock is located in Norwalk, Iowa:


Warren County Freedom Rock

Warren County Freedom Rock

Warren County Freedom Rock

Warren County Freedom Rock

The Warren County Freedom Rock is the first Freedom Rock that I’ve noticed where the paint is in pretty bad shape. I don’t know if that is something that is maintained or eventually the Freedom Rocks will go back to just being rocks.

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


Town Sign Project - 32 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

32 counties completed. 32.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Warren County:


Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa (Mostly in Polk County)
Population: 203,4333

Indianola, Iowa
Indianola, Iowa
Indianola
EST. 1849
Population: 14,782

Norwalk, Iowa
Norwalk, Iowa (Also Polk County)
norwalk Welcomes You
Population: 8,945

Carlisle, Iowa
Carlisle, Iowa (Also Polk County)
CARLISLE
THE NATURAL CHOICE
ESTABLISHED 1851
Population: 3,876

Milo, Iowa
Milo, Iowa
WELCOME TO City of MILO
EST. 1880
Population: 775

Hartford, Iowa
Hartford, Iowa
HARTFORD
A GROWING COMMUNITY
ESTABLISHED 1849
Population: 771

New Virginia, Iowa
New Virginia, Iowas
Welcome to NEW VIRGNINIA
est. 1855
Population: 489

Martensdale, Iowa
Martensdale, Iowa
WELCOME TO MARTENSDALE
WATCH US GROW – EST. 1913
Population: 465

Lacona, Iowa
Lacona, Iowa
WELCOME TO LACONA
Population: 361

Cumming, Iow
Cumming, Iowa
CITY OF CUMMING
Population: 351

Saint Marys, Iowa
St. Marys, Iowa
St. Marys
Est. 1870
“A little town with a big spirit”
Population: 127

Bevington, Iowa
Bevington, Iowa
BEVINGTON CITY HALL
PLATTED MARCH 1872
INCORPORATED MARCH 6TH, 1916
Population: 63

Ackworth, Iowa
Ackworth, Iowa
ORIGINAL SITE OF ACKWORTH CITY WELL – 1855
Population: 83

Spring Hill, Iowa
Spring Hill, Iowa
City of Spring Hill
Population: 63

Sandyville, Iowa
Sandyville, Iowa
ANDYVILLE COMUNITY CEER
Population: 51

Prole, Iowa
Prole, Iowa – Unincorporated

Medora, Iowa
Medora, Iowa – Unincorporated

Liberty Center, Iowa
Liberty Center, Iowa – Unincorporated

Churchville, Iowa
Churchville, Iowa – Unincorporated

Beech, Iowa - Unincorporated
Beech, Iowa – Unincorporated

Summerset, Iowa (Unincorporated)
Summerset, Iowa – Unincorporated

Shannon feels that Summerset should get a special “shout out” since she lives there. She loaned me a book on the history of Summerset. there is too much info in the book to get into, but here is a little info:

Summerset was settled by emigrants from the British Isles and name for a county in southwest England named Somerset. Although Pennsylvannia, Massachusetts, and Ohio have towns named Somerset, South Dakota is the only other state with a Summerset, a community north of Rapid City, established in 2005. Summerset was named sometime after July 2, 1849, the date Madison County commissioners selected “Winterset” as the name of their county seat.

I might get more into the history and remains of Summerset at a later date.

It would be hard to not give the worst town sign in Warren County to Sandyville. But having to use a mailbox to represent Spring Hill’s town sign is up there for sure. A town as big as Norwalk should really try harder with their town sign. Same goes for Indianola.

But what gets Best in Show for Warren County. I like Milo’s sign. I also like the simplicity of Lacona’s sign. St. Marys sign gets points as well. Martensdale gets points for being the hardest sign to read and the smallest, farthest from the road sign I’ve ever seen. I also like Hartford’s rustic rusty sign. However, I have to give Best in Show to New Virginia:


New Virginia, Iowa
New Virginia – Best in Show – Warren County

There are a few alternate town signs in Warren County. Shannon would argue that New Virginia’s alternate town sign is better than their main sign. She might be right:


Saint Marys, Iowa
St. Marys – Alternate

Saint Marys, Iowa
Saint Marys – Alternate

Saint Marys, Iowa
Saint Marys – Alternate

Saint Marys, Iowa
Saint Marys – Alternate

New Virginia, Iowa
New Virginia – Alternate

Milo, Iowa
Milo – Alternate

Lacona, Iowa
Lacona – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin 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

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

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

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the dusty trail for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Hancock County.

Lucas County Auxiliary Images

Shortly after I published the town signs of Lucas County I received a letter in the mail. I don’t get much mail from anybody other that the two State Farm agents in Ames that think by constantly sending me junk mail I’m somehow going to sign up for their terrible insurance that has treated more than one person in my life very poorly. Switch to State Farm, not on your life Scott Richardson or Pat Brown! American Family Insurance for life!

But I digress, the letter I got in the mail was from the Chairman of the Lucas County Veterans Memorial Park Committee thanking me for including their park in my blog:



I was blown away by the letter and was humbled to receive the letter and want to say thanks!

The day that I harvested the town signs of Lucas County I didn’t explore as much as I normally would. I had to get to Des Moines to drop off my entries for the Iowa State Fair. Then I had to get to Ames to a wedding. Therefore, I didn’t take a ton of pictures in Lucas County, but here are a few that I did take:


Lucas County - Lucas
Lucas

Lucas County - Lucas

Lucas County - Lucas

Lucas County - Lucas

Lucas County - Lucas

Lucas County - Lucas

Lucas County - Derby
Derby

Lucas County - Derby

Lucas County - Russell
Russell

Lucas County - Russell

Lucas County - Russell

Lucas County - Russell

Lucas County - Russell

Lucas County - Russell

Lucas County

Lucas County - Chariton
Chariton

Lucas County - Chariton

Lucas County - Chariton

Lucas County - Chariton

Lucas County - Chariton

Lucas County - Chariton

Lucas County - Chariton

Lucas County - Chariton

Lucas County - Williamson
Williamson

While I didn’t get to spend much time in Lucas County, I do have plans to go there again in April. Red Haw State Park is supposed to be absolutely beautiful that time of year. I also want to visit the Frontier Trading Post. It looked like a fascinating place!

Town Sign Project: Butler County

A few Saturdays back I cruised around Butler County with Carla harvesting their town signs. Here are some facts about Butler County:

+ Population is 14,628 (2019 estimate). That makes Butler County the 54th most populous county in Iowa. Below Kossuth County and above Harrison County.
+ The county seat is Allison.
+ The largest town is Parkersburg.
+ Organized in 1854.
+ Named after William Orlando Butler a U.S. Army general and a congressman from Kentucky.
+ Major highways are IA-3, IA-14, IA-57, and IA-188.
+ Adjacent counties are Floyd, Bremer, Black Hawk, Grundy, Franklin, Chickasaw, Cerro Gordo, and Hardin.
+ Population peaked in 1940 at 17,986.

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


Butler County Courthouse
The Butler County Courthouse located in Allison, Iowa.

The Butler County Freedom Rock is located in Greene, Iowa.


Butler County Freedom Rock

Butler County Freedom Rock

Butler County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 31 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

31 counties completed. 31.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Butler County:


Parkersburg, Iowa
Parkersburg, Iowa
PARKERSBURG
Population: 1,870

Clarksville, Iowa
Clarksville, Iowa
EST. 1853
CLARKSVILLE
Population: 1,439

Shell Rock, Iowa
Shell Rock, Iowa
Shell Rock
Population: 1,296

Greene, Iowa
Greene, Iowa (Also Floyd County)
WELCOME TO GREENE
Population: 1,130

Aplington, Iowa
Aplington, Iowa
APLINGTON
Northeast Iowa’s best-kept secret
Population: 1,128

Allison, Iowa
Allison, Iowa
Welcome To ALLISON
Population: 1,029

Dumont, Iowa
Dumont, Iowa
DUMONT
SMALL TONW BIG HEART
Population: 637

New Hartford, Iowa
New Hartford, Iowa
NEW HARTFORD
City of Gardens
Population: 516

Bristow, Iowa
Bristow, Iowa
BRISTOW
Home of Iowa’s Smallest Church
Population: 160

Aredale, Iowa
Aredale, Iowa
WELCOME TO AREDALE
It’s not your Dale,
It’s not my Dale,
it’s Aredale.
Population: 74

Butler Center, Iowa
Butler Center, Iowa – Ghost Town
Site of BUTLER CENTER
BUTLER COUNTY SEAT
1860-1880

Butler County has this weird phenomenon where the larger a town gets, the worse its sign gets. It is hard to pick out the worst in show because it could go to any of the larger towns in the county. But I have to give it to Shell Rock. Their sign is even more disappointing when you juxtapose it with a mural in the downtown area that I will share at a different date.

I think there are 3 contenders for Best in Show for Butler County. Bristow, Aredale, and New Hartford. with Aplington being a dark horse contender. However, I have to give it to New Hartford and not just because I love their gardens. Which I do, I love their gardens.


New Hartford, Iowa
New Hartford – Best in Show – Butler County

A few towns did have alternate signs, including a fascinating one in Bristow, where the man who was the father of moder hot air ballooning was born. Here is an article from the Iowa History Journal I found on him:

Though brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier in Annonay, France, are credited with successfully launching the first free flight hot air balloon carrying human passengers in 1783, the invention of the first modern hot air balloon and the popularity of competitive ballooning is tethered to mid-20th century Iowa.

Gas-powered dirigibles made appearances in Iowa in the early 1900s at county fairs and other events. Some were shaped like teardrop hot air balloons seen today floating over Iowa, while others were designed like airships with propellers. Most, however, were crude by today’s standards as pilots often had to parachute to the ground as they were unable to control their landings.

Improved safety, maneuverability and distance were ushered in when the first modern hot air balloon was developed in 1960 by a native Iowan inventor.

Paul E. “Ed” Yost, who was born in Bristow in 1919, is considered the father of modern ballooning. He devoted his life to flying, particularly balloons. He was employed by the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945; he flew airplanes in Alaska after the war until 1948; and in 1949 worked as a senior engineer and tracking pilot for the High Altitude Research Division of General Mills in Minneapolis, Minn., where he worked on many scientific high altitude balloon projects, including launching a 3.2 million-cubic-foot balloon carrying U.S. Navy instruments into the stratosphere to study cosmic rays in 1952.

Four years later, Yost and three others from General Mills formed Raven Industries. The U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research commissioned Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, S.D., to develop a hot air balloon capable of carrying one man and enough fuel to fly for up to three hours, reach an altitude of 10,000 feet and be reusable.

He worked with gasoline, kerosene, coal, oil and other fuels until he found propane worked best. It’s what pilots still use today.

“The first balloon didn’t have a basket; just a seat that looked like a lawn chair,” said Becky Wigeland, director of the National Balloon Museum in Indianola and co-author of “Indianola: Ballooning Capital of Iowa.” “It had upside down tanks on two sides and a small burner. It totally changed ballooning because they’d never had something that was reusable, and the only balloons people then had seen were gas balloons.”

The new balloon, with a nylon envelope, had its first flight in Bruning, Neb., on Oct. 22, 1960. Yost went on to develop a number of items related to ballooning, and he held 21 patents on balloons and lighter-than-air mechanisms. Among them, was a lightweight, disposable balloon that was used to send U.S. leaflets behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War and a balloon that carried a camera to photograph enemy territories. Another invention of his was a fast-deploying parachute used to deliver supplies to U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. He never sought compensation for his inventions because he saw them as necessary to solve problems and create techniques and devices that would make ballooning safer and possible.

Just three years after his invention, Yost and Don Piccard flew a modern hot air balloon nicknamed “Channel Champ” over the English Channel from England to France in a little more than three hours. The publicity generated by the flight brought worldwide attention to the fact that dependable, practical and relatively inexpensive balloons were now accessible to anyone.

Almost immediately, a new sport was born thanks to Yost. In 1961, the Balloon Federation of America, the ruling body of balloonists in the United States, was developed. The first National Hot Air Balloon Championship was held in Michigan in 1963 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Ballooning takes flight in Iowa

The first person in Iowa to own a modern balloon was an attorney from Fort Dodge named Don Kersten. He purchased a balloon from Piccard, who brought it to Iowa in July 1965 and taught him how to fly it.

“After three lessons, Piccard told him, ‘Ok, you’ve got your license,’” Wigeland said with a laugh.

The balloon was named “Merope” after his wife and that year he competed in the U.S. National Championships where he took third place. In the late 1960s, he was one of about a dozen hot air balloonists in the U.S. and he was instrumental in bringing the U.S. National Championships to Iowa.

So suck on that Indianola!

Here are the alternate signs of Butler County:


Clarksville, Iowa
Clarksville – Alternate

Clarksville, Iowa
Clarksville – Alternate (Yes Mollie B.!)

Parkersburg, Iowa
Parkersburg – Alternate

Greene, Iowa
Greene – Alternate

Greene, Iowa
Greene – Alternate

Dumont, Iowa
Dumont – Alternate

Bristow, Iowa
Bristow – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin 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

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

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

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we check in on THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Warren County. Yes, the county so many of you have been wondering about. Finally on the docket.

Benton County Auxiliary Images – 2

Today I’m sharing the balance of the images from when Jesse and I drove around Benton County and harvested their town signs. But first I want to share another bit of family history that I found amongst the genealogy papers when we’ve been going through stuff at my Mom’s house.

I think this episode of family history is called, Grandpa Bennett goes Straight Gangsta on a Teacher.

History of the Elegy Poem

This Elegy poem was written by John W. Bennett in 1920. The poem was sent to his teacher named Mr. Jefferson. The reason for the poem goes like this:

First, J.W.B. had received an “A” on a Sociology test from Mr. Jefferson. Later the teacher wanted him to do some errand or problems he had done before. They got in an argument over this and John refused. The teacher took away his A and told him he would not graduate unless he would apologize. John wen to the principal and found out he could graduate without this credit. He never returned to class, but sent this poem to Mr. Jefferson.

Ellen Leininger
Gerald D. Bennett
2-16-78

Here is the poem:

Elegy Written to P.S.J.

Do you really know what happened
Twas just the other day
Jeff got real kind-hearted
And in Sociology gave me “A”
But to tell the truth about it
It di me little good,
For he and his partners changed it
For the worse not for the good.
Poor old Jeff got real angry
But to me said not a word,
But let it in on the Juniors and Seniors
When he to them in a herd,
And he told them all about me
In that cowardly way of his,
And to them gave all my characteristics
When I wasn’t there to tell them his.
Oh! he told them how I needed
His old credit in Sociology,
But I’ve got along alright so far
And don’t need his help By Gee!
And when he leaves Old Luther High
Oh! won’t it be just fine
As I’ve got eight more just like him
And with him they just make nine
And he said to get back into his class
I would have to apologize,
But before I’ll stoop before him
He’d better grow in size
By J.W.B.

Here are the scans of the documents:



Straight gangsta!

+++++++

Here are the rest of the auxiliary images from Jesse and I’s trip to Benton County:


Benton County - Shell Rock
Shellsburg, Iowa

Benton County - Shell Rock

Benton County - Shell Rock

Benton County - Norway
Norway

Benton County - Norway

Benton County - Norway

Benton County - Watkins
Watkins

Benton County - Watkins

Benton County - Watkins

Benton County - Watkins

Benton County - Watkins

Benton County - Watkins

Benton County - Watkins
I love that the lights are inside the fence.

Benton County - Watkins

Benton County - Blairstown
Blairstown

Benton County - Blairstown

Benton County - Luzerne
Luzerne

Benton County - Belle Plaine
Belle Plaine

Benton County - Belle Plaine
Jumbo Well info below.

Benton County - Belle Plaine

Benton County - Belle Plaine

Benton County - Belle Plaine
I want to eat here someday.

Benton County - Belle Plaine

The Jumbo Well was a well that was once considered “The Eighth Wonder of the World”. The short version of the story is that they drilled a well in Belle Plaine into and they hit the wrong part of the aquifer and they couldn’t stop water shooting out for fourteen months. The well shot out water at 3,000 gallons of water per minute.

Here is a little interesting tidbit on the guy who dug the well and then promptly fled the town:

William Weir

The town of Belle Plaine, Iowa, contracted a well digger from Monticello, Iowa, to drill an artesian well to provide water and fire protection to a section of the town. The sum of $175 was offered to “bring in” the well and work by William Weir and his sons began upon receipt. They were not strangers to the citizens of Belle Plaine for they had recently successfully drilled several other artesian wells in the same city.

What happened thereafter made the news, not just in Iowa but from coast to coast! The Belle Plaine artesian well erupted into a monster — more than 3,000 gallons of water per minute boiled into the streets, threatening to flood the homes and businesses in its path. Weir and his sons worked frantically to stem the flow and cap the well, until all their supplies were exhausted and darkness was falling. William Weir and his sons left Belle Plaine, presumably the terrified townspeople thought, to gather necessary material with which to stop the furious flow of water. Weir and his sons were never seen again in the town of Belle Plaine. Fourteen months and many thousands of dollars later “Jumbo” was brought under control by experts from as far away as Chicago.

By [the spring of] 1890 William was drilling in Cherokee, Iowa, so apparently the Belle Plaine disaster had not harmed his business. Custom at that time demanded the well digger must drink the first cup from any newly dug well. He honored this tradition, contracted typhoid fever, and died June 1890 of what was often called in those days, “the well digger’s disease.

The maximum flow of water is estimated to have been at 5,000,000 to 9,000,000 gallons per day. This enormous flow of water caused the surrounding wells to stop flowing. The attempt to control the well continued from August 26, 1886 to October 6, 1887 when it was finally accomplished. The well was finally tamed by sinking one large pipe with a smaller one inside it, the space between was caulked, and the outside cavity filled with rock and cement. A granite marker now identifies Jumbo at the intersection of Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the rock, but I’m sure I will go through Belle Plaine again on a future town sign harvesting trip.

We also harvested the towns of Poweshiek County on this trip. Those pictures will be shared in a separate entry.

Town Sign Project: Ida County

A few Saturdays back I cruised around Ida County with Teresa harvesting their town signs. There aren’t many. Ida County only has 5 towns. Ida County might be best known for the castle buildings in Ida Grove.

Here are some facts about Ida County:

+ Population is 6,901 (2019 estimate) making Ida County the 92 most populous county in Iowa. Below Fremont County and above Pocahontas County.
+ The county seat and largest town is Ida Grove.
+ Ida County was formed on January 15, 1851, but nobody lived there, so there was no government. The county government was formed in 1858 when there were about 40 residents.
+ Named for Ida Smith, the first child of European immigrants born in the region.
+ Major highways ae US-20, US059, IA-3, and IA-175.
+ Adjacent counties are Cherokee, Sac, Crawford, and Woodbury.
+ The population peaked in 1900 at 12,327.

The Ida County Courthouse is a cool old looking courthouse:


Ida County Courthouse
The Ida County Courthouse in Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Ida County Freedom Rock is located in Holstein, Iowa:


Ida County Freedom Rock

Ida County Freedom Rock

Ida County Freedom Rock

Ida County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 30 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

30 counties completed. 30.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Ida County:


Ida Grove, Iowa
Ida Grove, Iowa
IDA GROVE
OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN
Population: 2,142

Holstein, Iowa
Holstein, Iowa
Holstein
WILLKOMMEN FREUNDE
Population: 1,396

Battle Creek, Iowa
Battle Creek, Iowa
WELCOME to BATTLE CREEK
Small in size, Big in HEART
Est. 1865
Population: 713

Galva, Iowa
Galva, Iowa
Galva Welcomes You
the friendly town
Population: 434

Arthur, Iowa
Arthur, Iowa
WELCOME TO ARTHUR
EST. 1881
Population: 206

I don’t think that there is a bad town sign in Ida County. So rather than giving away the award for worst town sign in the county, I’ll just say that I found Holstein’s sign to be the most disappointing. It isn’t a bad sign, but with a name like Holstein how do you not have a cow on your sign? If you haven’t figured it out yet, I like signs with animals on them.

I do think the best town sign is pretty much a no-brainer. It is Ida Grove. Their town sign is a castle, with the state slogan, bird and flower on it. At first, I have to confess I wasn’t sure it was “the” town sign. But after examining it and thinking on it, it clearly is the town sign.


Ida Grove, Iowa
Ida Grove – Best in Show – Ida County

A couple towns did have alternate signs:


Ida Grove, Iowa
Ida Grove – Alternate

Ida Grove, Iowa
Ida Grove – Alternate

Holstein, Iowa
Holstein – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin 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

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

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

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we check in on THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT we will visit Butler County.

Selfie Project – July 2021

On Saturday night I completed another successful month of THE SELFIE PROJECT. It probably wasn’t the most exciting month, but I think we did some good work here now and then.

Here are my favorites from July:


Day 183 - July 2, 2021
July 2, 2021

Day 184 - July 3, 2021
July 3, 2021

Day 185 - July 4, 2021
July 4, 2021

Day 186 - July 5, 2021
July 5, 2021

Day 187 - July 6, 2021
July 6, 2021

Day 190 - July 9, 2021
July 9, 2021

Day 191 - July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021

Day 192 - July 11, 2021
July 11, 2021

Day 193 - July 12, 2021
July 12, 2021

Day 195 - July 14, 2021
July 14, 2021

Day 197 - July 16, 2021
July 16, 2021

Day 198 - July 17, 2021
July 17, 2021

Day 199 - July 18, 2021
July 18, 2021

Day 202 - July 21, 2021
July 21, 2021

Day 204 - July 23, 2021
July 24, 2021

Day 205 - July 24, 2021
July 24, 2021

Day 206 - July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021

Day 208 - July 27, 2021
July 27, 2021

Day 209 - July 28, 2021
July 28, 2021

Day 212 - July 31, 2021
July 31, 2021

There can only be one Selfie per day, but I’ve decided to start sharing some alternate selfies from the month, that just didn’t make the cut:


A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

A Selfie Project 2021 Alternate

If you want to peruse all the THE SELFIE PROJECT images from 2021, click on the link below:

Selfie Project – 2021

Hopefully August is another successful month!