Category Archives: Road Trip

2010-10-18 & 2010-10-19

There was really only one picture of consequence in the folder 2010-10-18, so I decided to combine it with the folder 2010-10-19. The pictures in the folder 2010-10-19 are from a road trip I took to Kalona with my Mom. We also stopped in Riverside and the Czech Village in Cedar Rapids. I do miss those trips to Kalona.


WEEK 42 - SHADOWS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT

WEEK 41 - DRY - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

Kalona Road Trip with Mom - October 2010

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:

RWPE #41 – DRY

RWPE #42 – SHADOWS

SOME VACATION PICTURES

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve Minnesota.

Benton County Auxiliary Images – 1

A few weeks back I hit the open road with Jesse and we harvested the town signs of Benton County and Poweshiek County. This collection focuses primarily on Benton County, although there are some pictures at the end from Buchanan County.

Jesse was the first Town Sign Assistant to use the map and eschew GPS in his navigator duties. It was quite impressive to see and I believe his ability to read a map gives me hope for the world.

Here are the first set of auxiliary images from the road trip:


Benton County - Van Horne
Van Horne

Benton County - Van Horne

Benton County - Garrison
Garrison

Benton County - Garrison

Benton County - Vinton
Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Vinton

Benton County - Mount Auburn
Mount Auburn

Benton County - Mount Auburn
Jesse didn’t get a Pepsi. The machine didn’t even have a power cord.

Buchanan County - Brandon
Brandon (Buchanan County)

Buchanan County - Brandon

Buchanan County - Brandon

Buchanan County - Brandon

Buchanan County - Brandon

Buchanan County - Brandon

Buchanan County - Brandon
No riffraff allowed!

I definitely really enjoyed Vinton. Any town with tons of artwork is my kind of town. It is definitely on my list of towns to visit again when I have more time. They also recently installed a glow-in-the-dark path that I want to checkout.

There are plenty more pictures from the road trip still to share.

Town Sign Project: Sac County

A few Saturdays back I cruised around Sac County with Teresa harvesting their town signs. I knew Sac County was the home of the Largest Popcorn Ball in the World, but I did not know that popcorn was so huge to the development of the entire region. I found references to popcorn in three towns and one unincorporated town. The next time I fire up the Union Street Theater popcorn maker I will think of Sac County. (Unrelated, but the Union Street Theater has recently been upgraded substantially. If you haven’t stopped by for a show lately, you probably should get on that.)

Here are some facts about Sac County:

+ Population is 9,802 (2019) estimate. Making Sac County the 75th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Montgomery County and above Calhoun County.
+ The county seat and largest town is Sac City.
+ Was formed on January 13, 1846.
+ Named for the Sauk people.
+ Home of the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball.
+ Home of Blackhawk State Park.
+ Major highways are: US-20, US-71, IA-39, IA-110, and IA-175.
+ Adjacent counties are: Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, and Pocahontas.
+ Population peaked in 1930 at 17,641.

The Sac County Courthouse is fair looking, well it was, until they added that horrible addition to it:


Sac County Courthouse
The Sac County Courthouse in Sac City, Iowa.

The Sac County Freedom Rock is located in Sac City, Iowa:


Sac County Freedom Rock

Sac County Freedom Rock

Sac County Freedom Rock

Sac County Freedom Rock

Sac County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 29 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

29 counties completed. 29.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Sac County:


Sac City, Iowa
Sac City, Iowa
Sac City
Population: 2,220

Lake View, Iowa
Lake View, Iowa
Lake View
Black Hawk Lake
Population: 1,142

Odebolt, Iowa
Odebolt, Iowa
ODEBOLT
RICH HISTORY-PROUD COMMUNITY
Established 1877
Population: 1,013

Wall Lake, Iowa
Wall Lake, Iowa
WELCOME TO WALL LAKE
BIRTHPLACE OF ANDY WILLIAMS
Population: 819

Schaller, Iowa
Schaller, Iowa
Welcome to SCHALLER
Popcorn Capital of the World
Population: 772

Early, Iowa
Early, Iowa
City of EARLY
Established 1882
Population: 557

Auburn, Iowa
Auburn, Iowa
AUBURN
a taste of home.
Population: 322

Nemaha, Iowa
Nemaha, Iowa
Nemaha
A “MIGHTY” SMALL TOWN
Population: 85

Lytton, Iowa
Lytton, Iowa – Also Calhoun County
LYTTON
Population: 315

Ulmer, Iowa - Unincorporated
Ulmer, Iowa – Unincorporated
WELCOME TO ULMER

Sac County has a solid set of signs. I don’t strongly dislike any of them. Put in a position, of having to choose a worst sign, It would have to come down to Early, Lake View, Auburn, and Lytton. My feet to the fire, I give the worst town sign to Early. There is no pithy slogan, which is what saves Auburn. There is no boat, that is what saves Lake View. And Lytton gets points for just throwing their town sign on a big rock.

But who has the best town sign in Sac County. Who gets Best in Show. It really comes down to Wall Lake and Nemaha. The alternate town sign for Schaller would be an underdog for this award, but I only consider primary signs for this award, unless we get into a tie-breaker situation, like we did for Lucas County. With apologies to Andy Williams, my huckleberry friend, I’m going to paddle down this river that is wider than a mile, looking for rainbow’s end, to the town waitin’ around the bend, and give Best in Show to Nemaha.


Nemaha, Iowa
Nemaha – Best in Show – Sac County

A few towns in Sac County have alternate signs:


Wall Lake, Iowa
Wall Lake – Alternate

Schaller, Iowa
Schaller – Alternate

Schaller, Iowa
Schaller – Alternate

Sac City, Iowa
Sac City – Alternate

Sac City, Iowa
Sac City – Alternate

Auburn, Iowa
Auburn – Alternate

You might be sitting there wondering, what makes Schaller the Popcorn Capital of the World? I mean, Sac City houses the World’s Biggest Popcorn Ball, just where does Schaller get off?

I pulled over and asked a guy name Derrick just where Schaller gets off making such a bold claim. Turns out that Derrick is the owner of Bango Haunted Crib. He told me that Schaller used to be the home of 3 popcorn companies. Jolly Time, Bango, and American. Now, the only company left in town is Jolly Time. Some of the people in town turned the old Bango building into a haunted house. I will get into the details of this in a future post of Sac County Auxiliary Images. But you combine that with the fact that Schaller has hosted Pop Corn Days for 70 years now. Now you know.

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

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 Ida County.

Tama County Auxiliary Images – 2

Here is the final chapter in the storage of my Grandma Bennett’s brief third marriage:

Handschin Killer Commits Suicide At Reformatory

Sioux City, Feb. 15

Mrs. Martelle McPeek, 29 year-old blonde, who last January 11th shot her lover after being jilted, committed suicider early today in the woman’s reformatory at Rockwell City by hanging herself with a pair of cotton stockings.

Supt. Pauline Johnston said Mrs. McPeek was by a guard. The county coroner said Mrs. McPeek died of strangulation and that her neck was not broken.

Mrs. McPeek entered the institution January 27th. She had been sentenced to ten years when she pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree murder.

The charge against her was filed after the death of Maurics Handschin, 36-year-old packing house employee as a result of a bullet wound in the abdomen.

Formerly of Boone

The late Mr. Handschin was formerly of Boone and had married here only shortly before the fatal shooting. His underal services were held in this city.

Claimed by Husband

Rockwell City, Feb. 15

Mrs. Martelle M. McPeek, 29, committed suicide at the Iowa Women’s Reformatory, to which she was sentenced for 10 years for killing Maurice Handschin in Sioux City last January 11.

Mrs. McPeek’s body was found hanging from the top of a window. She had strangled herself to death with her stockings. Her husband, William McPeek of Sioux City claimed her body.

Handschin lived at the McPeek residence in Sioux City several years before leaving there to marry a Boone divorcee. Mrs. McPeek contended she had planned to divorce her husband and marry Handschin.

Here is a copy of the newspaper article:



While that concluded this episode of sharing some of my family history that I discover going through some genealogy stuff, it won’t be the last.

+++++++

This is the rest of the auxiliary images from my trip to Tama County to harvest their town signs. The highlight of this trip was the winding stairs in Traer.


Tama County - Clutier
Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Dysart
Dysart

Tama County - Traer
Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Traer

Tama County - Lincoln
Lincoln

Tama County

Grundy County - Conrad
Conrad (Grundy County)

Grundy County - Conrad

Tama County - Garwin, Iowa
Garwin

Tama County - Garwin, Iowa

Tama County

So many auxiliary images still to go through, but that is it for Tama County.

Tama County Auxiliary Images – 1

Here is Part 3 of the brief third marriage of my Grandma Bennett. This article is in particularly bad shape, so there is some guessing with what it says.

Handschin, Formerly of Boone, Dies After Being Shot, Sioux city.

A (man) shot by a jealous woman at Sioux City the night of January 11, Maurice (Mose) Handschin, 37, formerly of Boone, died at 11 o’clock Wednesday night in a hospital at the northwest Iowa city.

His remains are being accompanied to this city by his wife to whom he was married here shortly after the first of the year. Funeral services and interment will be in Boone, the body to arrive late Thursday.

Handschin was born and grew up here, leaving about 10 years ago for Sioux City where he had been employed by the Swift packing. (Handschin) at one time was a North Western employee here.

A number of his three surviving brothers and five surviving sisters reside here. The survivors are Warren Handschin of Boone, Art Handschin of Minneapolis and Harry Handschin of Oregon, Mesdames Ralph Spratt and Carl Westberg of Boone. Clarence Ades of Des Moines, Art Howd of Webster City and Ollie Mabee of Parker, S.D.

Sioux City, Jan. 25 – First degree murder charges were filed in Sioux City today against Mrs. Martelle McPeek, as the result of the death last night of Maurice W. Handschin of a bullet wound.

Chief of Detectives Tom Farley said Mrs. McPeek signed a statement that she shot Handschin on January 11 when (learned he had married another woman).

Mrs. McPeek (was jailed on an open charge since the shooting, which occurred inside the home of Handschin and his bride of a few days. fired two shots, one entering Handschin’s abdomen. A physician said death was caused by infection in the blood stream. The bullet tore seven holes in his intestines and stomach. (Coroner said an autopsy would be held later today.)

Handschin had been living with Mr. and Mrs. Mcpeek six years and for most of that time, according to investigating authorities, he and Mrs. McPeek had carried on a love affair with the knowledge of her husband.

At Christmas time, Handschin left Sioux City, saying he was going to remarry his former wife. He returned shortly after New Years with a Mrs. Handschin who was not his former wife but a Boone divorcee, Mrs. Bernice Kessler, with a 7 year-old daughter.

On the night of the shooting, Mrs. McPeek was driven to the couple’s home by a friend, Bud Ackerly, and forced open the door when Mrs. Handschin answered her knock. When Ackerly heard the shots he ran in and seized Mrs. McPeek’s pistol and called the police.

Born in Boone

Mrs. McPeek said she planned to obtain a divorce and marry Handschin.

Several days after the shooting, McPeek filed a petition for a landlord’s attachment against Handschin seeking a judgment for $150 unpaid room rent.

Handschin was born at Boone on May 6, 1903 and had lived in Sioux City for six years. Survivors include a son, Norman.

Here is the newspaper article:



Part 4 of the story tomorrow.

+++++++

This is a reminder that today is the deadline to enter the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest.


Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Flyer - 2021

If the Boone County Fair Photo Contest that I just judged on Saturday is any indication, we might be desperate for entries. Therefore the deadline is somewhat of a “soft deadline”. However, I wouldn’t push it more than a week.

To download the rules and entry form, click on the link below:

Entry Form

Good luck!

+++++++

Today seems like a good day to share some of the auxiliary images I took while harvesting the town signs of Tama County:


Tama County - Tama
Tama

Tama County - Toledo
Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Toledo

Tama County - Chelsea
Chelsea

Tama County - Chelsea

Tama County - Chelsea

Tama County - Chelsea

Tama County - Chelsea

Tama County

Tama County

Tama County - Vining
Vining

Tama County - Vining
So many all-you-can-eat testicles eaten in this building!

Tama County - Vining

Tama County - Elberon
Elberon

Tama County - Elberon

Tama County - Elberon

Tama County - Clutier
Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

Tama County - Clutier

There is still one more collection of images from Tama County left to share!

Town Sign Project: Calhoun County

Here is Part 2 in the story of my Grandma Bennett’s second marriage.

Jealous Woman Shoots Ex-Boone Man
Sioux City, Jan. 12

Maurice Handschin, 37, packing house worker, was in critical condition in a Sioux City hospital today after being shot through the body last, night assertedly by Mrs. Martell McPeek, 29.

Police said Mrs. McPeek, enraged because she hoped to wed Handschin, who married another woman 10 days ago, forced her way into his home while Hanschin and his bride were eating dinner, took a revolver from her purse and fired twice. One bullet struck him in the abdomen.

Transfusions were given Handschin in an effort to save his life.

From Boone

Mrs. McPeek said she had made plans to divorce her husband and marry Handschin. Mrs. Handschin whose 7-year-old daughter witnessed the shooting, came to Sioux City a few days ago from Boone, Iowa, where she obtained a divorce four years ago.

As physicians were dressing Handschin’s wounds in his home, Mrs. McPeek stood calmly beside him and said: “I’m sorry Maurice, but I just couldn’t stand it.”

Bud Ackerly, who brought Mrs. McPeek to Handschin’s home in his automobile, rushed into the house after hearing the shots and wrested the gun from her. He was not held.

Filing of charges was delayed pending outcome of Handschin’s condition.

Married Here

Acquaintances here Friday said Mrs. Handschin is the former Mrs. Bernice Kessler of Boone who was married to Handschin here about 10 days ago. They said she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.M. Needham. Handschin formerly lived here.

Held in Jail

Maurice Handschin, 37, a packing house worker, was in critical condition today from bullet wounds police said were inflicted by Mrs. Martelle McPeek, 29, in the presence of his bride of twelve days.

The shooting occurred last night at Handchin’s home. Before his marriage at Boone, January 1st, Handschin had lived for six years at the McPeek home.

Police said the woman was enraged because Handschin did not marry her. She is being held in jail.

Here is the newspaper article:



Part 3 of the story tomorrow.

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A few Saturdays back I took a solo trip to Calhoun County to harvest their town sign collection. I would have to say, at the aggregate level, Calhoun County might have the strongest collection of town signs. It is definitely a Top 3 County on a list that I haven’t made and have no intention of making.

Here are some facts about Calhoun County:

+ Population is 9,744 (2019 estimate). Making it the 76th most populous county in Iowa. Below Sac County and above Humboldt County.
+ The county seat is Rockwell City.
+ The largest town is Lake City.
+ Was formed on January 15, 1851 from land originally named Fox County.
+ Named for John C. Calhoun, the 7th Vice President (Jackson), Senator, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and U.S. Representative. An absolute terrible human being and maybe the worst person to have an Iowa County named for them. Really, Calhoun County should go back to being Fox County. Calhoun was such a terrible person that Andrew Jackson (also a terrible human being) regretted not having him executed. Calhoun was Jackson’s Vice President!
+ Home of the Manson crater, here an asteroid or comet nucleus struck the Earth during the Cretaceous Period, approximately 74 Ma (million years ago). It was one of the largest known impact events to have happened in North America.
+ Major highways are: US-20, IA-4, IA-7, and IA-175.
+ Adjacent counties are: Pocahontas, Webster, Greene, Carroll, and Sac.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 18,569.

Calhoun County has a gorgeous courthouse:


Calhoun County Courthouse
The Calhoun Courthouse in Rockwell City, Iowa

The Calhoun County Freedom Rock is located in Rockwell City, Iowa:


Calhoun County Freedom Rock

Calhoun County Freedom Rock

Calhoun County Freedom Rock

Calhoun County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 28 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

28 counties completed. 28.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Calhoun County:


Lake City, Iowa
Lake City, Iowa
WELCOME TO LAKE CITY
EVERYTHING BUT A LAKE
Population: 1,727

Rockwell City, Iowa
Rockwell City, Iowa
ROCKWELL CITY
THE GOLDEN BUCKLE ON THE CORN BELT
Population: 1,709

Manson, Iowa
Manson, Iowa
MANSON
MAKING AN IMPACT
Population:1,690

Pomeroy, Iowa
Pomeroy, Iowa
Pomeroy
We Welcome You for a Day or a Lifetime!
Population: 662

Farnhamville, Iowa #3 - East Side
Farnhamville, Iowa
FARNHAMVILLE
TURN RIGHT 1/2 Mi.
IF YOU CAN’T STOP…
AT LEAST WAVE!!
Population: 371

Lohrville, Iowa
Lohrville, Iowa
LOHRVILLE
Better Not Bigger
Population: 368

Lytton, Iowa
Lytton, Iowa
LYTTON
Population: 315

Somers, Iowa
Somers, Iowa
Welcome to Somers
Population: 113

Knierim, Iowa
Knierim, Iowa
Welcome To KNIERIM
ESTABLISHED 1899
Population: 60

Rinard, Iowa
Rinard, Iowa
CITY OF RINARD PARK
Population: 52

Jolley, Iowa
Jolley, Iowa
WELCOME TO JOLLEY
THE FIELD OF SCREAMS
Population: 41

Yetter, Iowa
Yetter, Iowa
YETTER IA TOWN HALL
Population: 34

Calhoun County seems like a good county to answer a few questions that have been thrown my way recently. One question is:

Question 1: If a town doesn’t have an obvious town sign, what is the hierarch for finding a substitute/alternate to a traditional town sign?

The rankings go like this:

1. Townhall Sign
2. Community Center Sign
3. Post Office Sign
4. Park Sign
5. School Sign
6. City Limits Town Sign
7. Town Bulletin Board
8. Railroad Sign
9. Bike Trail Sign
10. Sign on a Mailbox (apparently)

Then way down at the bottom…

Dead Last: DOT Sign

Another question I’ve received a couple times late is:

Question 2: If a town has multiple town signs, how do you determine which one is the primary town sign and which ones are alternate town signs?

Answer: The primary town sign is the indicated mostly by geography. It is the first town sign you see when you come into town. If the town has different town signs as you enter the town from different directions, then the primary town sign is determined by which town sign resides on the road that is the busiest. What road would most people come into town on? For example for Boone, that would be US-30. One more factor is who put the sign up? Is it a church welcoming people into the town or was it put up by the town itself. The sign put up by the town itself is the winner for primary town sign.

Now that you have that information, it is time to answer the question of what town has the worst town sign in Calhoun County. I think that is pretty clearly Rinard. It is just an interestingly scrolled set of words on the shelter of their park. Having to use a townhall sign for Yetter also isn’t great.

But the real question is, who wins Best in Show for Calhoun County? There are many great town signs in Calhoun County. At one time I though Farnhamville would be the runaway winner. However, Pomeroy has a great sign. Jolley has a great sign. Lake City has a great slogan on their sign, but the design is a bit boring. It might come as a surprise. Maybe a bit of an upset, but I’m giving best town sign to Manson.


Manson, Iowa
Manson – Best in Show – Calhoun County

There were many towns in Calhoun County that had alternate signs. Here are the alternate signs of Calhoun County:


Yetter, Iowa
Yetter – Alternate

Rockwell City, Iowa
Rockwell City – Alternate

Pomeroy, Iowa
Pomeroy – Alternate

Manson, Iowa
Manson – Alternate

Manson, Iowa
Manson – Alternate
Jolley, Iowa
Jolley – Alternate

Lohrville, Iowa
Lohrville – Alternate

Farnhamville, Iowa #3 - West Side
Back of Farnhamville Sign

Farnhamville, Iowa #2
Farnhamville – Alternate

Farnhamville, Iowa #1
Farnhamville – 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

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

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 Sac County.

Liberty Stones

When I started THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT I had no intention of photographing the courthouses and the Freedom Rocks of each county. It was just something that evolved over time, because of a few small factors here and there that I don’t need to get into. However, since I have started seeking out courthouses and Freedom Rocks, it has been a real joy and often have been one of the highlights of my town sign harvesting trips.

Because of this, I have started to go back and get courthouse and Freedom Rock pictures of the counties where I ignored them or didn’t photograph them. Here is the first set of images I have captured to fill in some holes:


Boone County Freedom Rock
Boone County Freedom Rock

Boone County Freedom Rock

Boone County Freedom Rock

Boone County Freedom Rock

Greene County Courthouse
Greene County Courthouse

Greene County Freedom Rock
Greene County Freedom Rock

Greene County Freedom Rock

Greene County Freedom Rock

Greene County Freedom Rock

Hamilton County Freedom Rock
Hamilton County Freedom Rock

Hamilton County Freedom Rock

Hamilton County Freedom Rock

Hardin County Courthouse
Hardin County Courthouse

Hardin County Freedom Rock
Hardin County Freedom Rock

Hardin County Freedom Rock

Hardin County Freedom Rock

Hardin County Freedom Rock

Hardin County Freedom Rock

Webster County Courthouse
Webster County Courthouse

Webster County Freedom Rock
Webster County Freedom Rock

Webster County Freedom Rock

Webster County Freedom Rock

Webster County Freedom Rock

Webster County Freedom Rock

I’m always surprised by what counties have beautiful courthouses and which ones have monstrosities. It is also fascinating to see what different counties do with their Freedom Rock. Many just kind of dump it next to their courthouse. Some throw it in a park. Others build a cool veterans’ memorial around it and others incorporate it into an existing veterans’ memorial.

I’ve created an album for all the courthouses and Freedom Rocks to date. You can check it out by clicking on the link below:

Courthouses and Freedom Rocks

It still have several courthouses and Freedom Rocks to backfill in. But this is a start.

Marion County Auxiliary Images

This is a reminder that if you are interested in entering the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest, the deadline is next Wednesday:


Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Flyer - 2021

To download the entry form and the rules, click on the link below:

Entry Form

A special thanks to Michelle for modifying the form so you don’t have to print it 6 times.

Also, while I am running the contest, I am not judging it. So don’t worry about me recognizing your images. Doesn’t matter if I do, cause I’m not a judge!

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Back in May I cruised around Marion County to harvest their town signs. This was a solo trip and I didn’t take a ton of auxiliary images as I was on somewhat of a time crunch. I had to get to a birthday party at a carousel. Also, I have been to the two biggest towns in Marion County (Pella and Knoxville) a few times, so I didn’t really do much exploring in those towns. Still, I managed to take a few auxiliary images:


Marion County - Pella
Pella

Marion County

Marion County - Harvey
Harvey

Marion County - Harvey

Marion County - Harvey

Marion County - Harvey

Marion County - Harvey

Marion County - Harvey

Marion County - Bussey
Bussey

Marion County - Bussey

Marion County - Bussey

Marion County - Hamilton
Hamilton

Marion County - Hamilton

Marion County
Attica

Marion County

Marion County - Melcher-Dallas
Melcher-Dallas

Marion County - Melcher-Dallas

Marion County - Melcher-Dallas

Marion County - Melcher-Dallas

Marion County - Knoxville
Knoxville

Marion County - Knoxville

Marion County - Knoxville

It was a good trip and an even better birthday party.

Adair County Auxiliary Images

Back in early May I drove around Adair County to harvest their town signs. I also harvested some town signs in Clarke County. This was a solo trip.

Here are some of the non-town sign pictures I took while cruising around:


Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County
Greenfield

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County
Fontanelle

Adair County

Adair County
It is sad that this is being painted over.

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County
Bridgewater

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Adair County

Union County
Creston

Clarke County
Osceola

Clarke County
Woodburn

Clarke County

Clarke County

Clarke County

Clarke County
Osceola, again

Clarke County

Clarke County

One thing I missed in Adair County that I need to hit at some point is the Jesse James Historical Site.

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


WEEK 304 - HISTORY
HISTORY

HISTORY! What a great theme for Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a HISTORY photo? A HISTORY photo is any picture that records something that happened in the past. For example, in the theme reveal picture is the break room (building) for the employees of a Cracker Jack factory that has been gone for 50 years. A HISTORY picture could be a picture of a museum or an old building or a mural that depicts a HISTOR(Y)IC event. Or it could be a picture of a HISTOR(Y)ICAL artifact. It doesn’t need to be a piece of HISTORY that is as significant as Cracker Jack. It could be personal HISTORY.

Happy photo harvesting!

Town Sign Project: Lucas County

A few Saturdays back, before I took my entries for this year’s huge embarrassing failure at the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon to the Cultural Center and well before I went to Saydie’s wedding, I tooled around Lucas County and harvested their town signs. It was a pretty busy day.

Here are some facts about Lucas County:

+ Population is 8,853 (2019 estimate), the 85th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Monona and ahead of Decatur.
+ The county seat and largest city is Chariton.
+ Was formed in 1846.
+ Named for Robert Lucas, the 12th Governor of Ohio and first Governor of the Iowa territory. He also started the Honey War with Missouri.
+ Major highways are US-34, US-65, and IA-14.
+ Adjacent counties are Warren, Marion, Monroe, Wayne, and Clarke.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 16,126.

Lucas County has a beautiful courthouse:


Lucas County Courthouse
Lucas County Courthouse in Chariton, Iowa

The Lucas County Freedom Rock is located in Chariton, Iowa.


Lucas County Freedom Rock

Lucas County Freedom Rock

Lucas County Freedom Rock

Lucas County Freedom Rock

Chariton has a really neat Veterans Memorial Park where their Freedom Rock resides. It is pretty rare when I go to a Freedom Rock (on a weekend) and there isn’t somebody there checking it out. It seems that there are many people out there that are traveling around and looking at them.

On this day, I didn’t meet a fellow traveler, but a retired Marine that lives in Lucas County. He isn’t the official caretaker of the park, but I think he is involved with it pretty heavily. We talked for awhile and he gave me the handout below about their park:



If you have any interest in history or military in general, it is definitely worth going to this park. He also told me about the Flag Day and Independence Day events they have at the park. I’m glad I met him.

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


Town Sign Project - 26 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

26 counties completed. 26.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Lucas County:


Chariton, Iowa
Chariton, Iowa
Chariton – Since 1849
Population: 4,321

Russell, Iowa
Russell, Iowa
Russell – Since 1867
Population: 554

Lucas, Iowa
Lucas, Iowa
Lucas – Since 1868
Population: 216

Williamson, Iowa
Williamson, Iowa
Welcome to Williamson Community Center – Williamson Fire Dept & Ems
Population: 152

Derby, Iowa
Derby, Iowa
Derby Fire Station – City Hall
Population: 115

There are only 5 towns in Lucas County and it looks like some slick town sign salesman went down Highway 34 and sold identical signs to 3 of them and the other 2 don’t even have real town signs. So, to figure out the Best in Show for Lucas County, we are going to have to go to the rarely used Alternate Sign Tie-Breaker.

Here are the alternate signs of Lucas County:


Chariton, Iowa
Chariton – Alternate

Russell, Iowa
Russell – Alternate

Lucas, Iowa
Lucas – Alternate

Lucas, Iowa
Lucas – Alternate

Derby, Iowa
Derby – Alternate

The tie-breaker is no contest. Clearly Best in Show for Lucas County is:


Lucas, Iowa
Lucas – Best in Show – Lucas County

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

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

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

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

Next time we check in on THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Humboldt County.