Category Archives: Ruins

PHOTO DROP-OFF ROAD TRIP II

Today is Suzie’s birthday. So I need to wish her a happy birthday!


Day 128 - May 8, 2021
Happy birthday Suzie!

Suzie is the short one in the picture, in case you didn’t know! I hope you have an amazing birthday!

+++++++

Time to share more pictures from the road trip I took with Nader after I dropped off my pictures for the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. This collection starts where the first collection ended, hanging out with Albert the Bull in Audubon.


Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

Gray, Iowa
Gray

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Gray, Iowa

Manning, Iowa
Manning

Manning, Iowa

Manning, Iowa

Manning, Iowa

Still one more collection of images to share from this road trip.

Davis County Aux. – Vol. 4

Here it is. The final collection of auxiliary images I took during THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT. Finally being shared almost 14 months after I took them. Closing the book on pictures I took in 2022. To be honest there is one last collection of pictures I took in 2022, but I’m not going to share those. Those I will keep for me.

The final county of town signs I harvested was Davis County. A county I left for last because I wanted to save the Paris, Iowa (there are two unincorporated towns named Paris in Iowa) for the end because I have some family history on my Mom’s side of the family there. Paris is almost a ghost town now. There is a cemetery a couple miles down the road. There are a few houses and there are the remains of a general store. But it was still interesting to visit and I don’t regret leaving it for last, even though it really didn’t have a town sign.

Here is the final collection of images, starting at a general store in Cantril.


Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril
I swear Randall’s had this exact same signs when I was a kid.

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril
The artist definitely spend most of their time and effort on the boobs.

Van Buren County - Cantril

Davis County

Davis County - Troy
Troy

Davis County - Troy

Davis County - Troy

Davis County - Troy

Davis County - Troy
This building housed the Troy Academy. Which was one of the first institutions of higher education west of the Mississippi.

Davis County - Troy
It is also the subject of a painting by Buckley Moss.

Davis County - Troy

Davis County

Davis County
Back to Bloomfield

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County - Paris
Paris Cemetery

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Davis County - Paris

Marshall County - Marshalltown
Marshalltown

It is a little sad to close the last page on this photo project. My original plan for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT was to turn it into a book. I have made next to no progress on that. None. I haven’t really made much or no progress on what was going to be my next photo project. I have let you down…

But maybe I will make progress on the book this winter. Stranger things have happened.

I’m not sure what will be posted on Wednesdays going forward. But there isn’t a shortage of RAW images waiting to be edited and shared!

Davis County Aux. – Vol. 3

This is the second to last collection of auxiliary images from trips I made to harvest signs for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT. I made this trip with Teresa. This collection starts where the last collection left off. Just outside of Bloomfield.


Davis County - Bloomfield

Davis County - Bloomfield

Davis County - Bloomfield

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County

Davis County - Pulaski

Davis County - Pulaski

Davis County - Pulaski

Davis County - Pulaski

Davis County - Pulaski

Davis County - Pulaski

Davis County - Pulaski

Davis County - Pulaski

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

The Dutchman’s Store is located in Cantril and I would also recommend visiting it if you are ever in the area. Hard to believe there is just one collection of THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT auxiliary images left to share!

Davis County Aux. – Vol. 1

Time to start sharing the final collection of auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT. The final county I harvested town signs from was Davis County. Teresa went on the final THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT road trip. There are only 4 incorporated towns in Davis County, so there were stops in other counties. Including the first stop in Pella for the Jaarsma Bakery:


Marion County - Pella
Pella

Marion County - Pella

Marion County - Pella

Marion County - Pella

Marion County - Pella

Marion County - Pella

Marion County - Pella

Marion County - Pella

Marion County - Pella

Wapello County
Near Chillicothe

Wapello County

Wapello County

Wapello County - Ottumwa
Ottumwa

Wapello County - Ottumwa

Wapello County - Ottumwa

Wapello County - Ottumwa

Wapello County - Ottumwa

Davis County - Floris
Floris

Davis County - Floris

Davis County - Floris

Davis County - Floris

Davis County - Floris

Davis County - Floris

Davis County - Drakesville
Drakesville

Davis County - Drakesville

Davis County - Drakesville

Davis County - Drakesville

Davis County - Drakesville

Davis County - Drakesville

Davis County - Drakesville

Davis County - Bloomfield
Bloomfield

Davis County - Bloomfield

Davis County - Bloomfield

Davis County - Bloomfield

There are plenty more pictures left to share from this road trip. Including two sweet general stores!

Des Moines & Louisa County Aux. – Vol. 5

This is the final collection of images I took while harvesting the town signs of Des Moines & Louisa County. I really found Burlington to be photogenic and would like to go back there and spend some time photographing it. Also, and not unrelated, there is a stop on the Tenderloin Trail 2.0 that could be incorporated into any trip of the sort.

Last time we left off on Snake Alley in Burlington:


Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington
The less famous but still fascinating Cobblestone Alley.

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County - Burlington

Des Moines County  -
Illinois

Des Moines County  - Middletown
Middletown – The site of a giant ammunition plant that I had no clue existed.

Des Moines County  -
A resident of Danville was a pen pal of Anne Frank.

Des Moines County

Des Moines County

Des Moines County

Des Moines County

Des Moines County

Louisa County - Cairo
Cairo

Louisa County - Cairo

Louisa County - Cairo

Louisa County

Louisa County - Wyman
Wyman

Washington County - Ainsworth
A meal from the Dairy Mart in Ainsworth.

Marshall County - Quarry

Marshall County - Quarry

Marshall County - Quarry
I want one.

Marshall County - Quarry
Quarry

Marshall County - Quarry

Marshall County - Quarry

I think we need to dive into the history of a couple things. Starting with Snake Alley.

From the Wiki:

The physical limitations and steep elevation of Heritage Hill inspired the construction of Snake Alley in 1894. It was intended to link the downtown business district and the neighborhood shopping area located on North Sixth Street, of which Snake Alley is a one-block section. Three German immigrants conceived and carried out the idea of a winding hillside street, similar to vineyard paths in France and Germany: Charles Starker, an architect and landscape engineer; William Steyh, the city engineer; and George Kriechbaum, a paving contractor. The street was completed in 1898, but was not originally named Snake Alley, as it was considered part of North Sixth Street; some years later, a resident noted that it reminded him of a snake winding its way down the hill, and the name stuck.

The alley originally provided a shortcut from Heritage Hill to the business district. Bricks were laid at an angle to allow horses better footing as they descended. Unfortunately, riding horses back up the alley often resulted in a loss of control at the top; for this reason, even to this day, Snake Alley remains a one-way street, with all traffic heading downhill.

And about that connection with Anne Frank. From the Danville Library website:

Our story goes back to the fall of 1939 when a Danville teacher, Miss Birdie Mathews, initiated a pen pal exchange for her class. Ten year old Juanita Wagner picked a name from a list of pen pals. She chose a girl her own age who lived in Amsterdam. The girl’s name was Anne Frank.
Danville, Iowa is one of two places in the world to view the pen pal letters. These letters are on display at the Danville Museum.

The things you had no clue were in Iowa!!

The next set of auxiliary images will come from a rain day I spent in Dubuque County.

Des Moines & Louisa County Aux. – Vol. 3

Today is Russell’s birthday, so I need to wish Russell a happy birthday, so happy birthday Russell!


Civil Rights Museum

I’m not sure I’ve seen Russell in person since before the pandemic. That seems like something that should be remedied. Either way, I hope your birthday is filled with all the joy you can handle.

+++++++

Time to continue with the auxiliary images from my trip to Des Moines County and Louisa County to harvest their town signs. Last time we left off, we were in Grnadview. After that, I took US-61 down to Wapello.


Louisa County

Louisa County - Wapello
Wapello

Louisa County - Wapello

Louisa County - Wapello

Louisa County - Wapello

Louisa County - Wapello

Louisa County - Wapello

Louisa County - Wapello

Louisa County - Wapello

Louisa County - Toolesboro
Toolesboro

Louisa County - Toolesboro

Louisa County - Toolesboro

Louisa County - Toolesboro

Louisa County - Toolesboro

Louisa County - Toolesboro

Louisa County - Oakville
Oakville

Louisa County

Louisa County

Louisa County

Louisa County - Morning Sun
Morning Sun

Louisa County - Morning Sun

Louisa County - Morning Sun

Louisa County - Morning Sun

Louisa County - Morning Sun

Louisa County - Morning Sun

Louisa County - Morning Sun

Louisa County

Louisa County

Louisa County

So we should probably discuss some of the history in some of these pictures.

Here is some information on the Toolesboro Mounds:

The Toolesboro site consists of seven burial mounds on a bluff overlooking the Iowa River near where it joins the Mississippi River. The conical mounds were constructed between 200 B.C. and 300 A.D. by a local Hopewell group. They include some of the best-preserved and accessible remnants of Iowa’s Hopewell culture, a Middle Woodland people who hunted, gathered and gardened. At one time, there may have been as many as twelve mounds, but subsequent settlement and excavation have reduced that number to the present seven. As of yet, no village site near the Toolesboro mounds has been located, which is attributed to the shifting path of the Iowa River which has obliterated possible village sites on the flood plain over the last 2,000 years.

Of the seven mounds, only two are visible on the grounds of the Educational Center. The rest are off in the woods, and are separated by a wire fence from the Educational Center. One of the mounds maintained near the center, known as Mound 2, is the largest of the remaining mounds, measuring 100 feet in diameter and eight feet in height. This mound was possibly the largest Hopewell mound in Iowa.

And the Littleton Brothers… well…

The largest loss of life known in the history of all U.S. wars from any immediate family were the six local Littleton Brothers. All six were lost to the Civil War and the story just recently discovered and documented.

Here is some information on the Littleton brothers from the website (http://civil-war-picket.blogspot.com/):

James and Martha Littleton, the boys’ parents, moved to Louisa (Lew-I-zuh) County in about 1840, six years before Iowa became a state. The young Littleton brothers likely helped on a 200-acre farm.

Toolesboro used to be a busy hub, said Wagner, who lives in Illinois City, Ill.

The 1860 census that shows the family was listed as mulatto, which traditionally refers to a person with one white parent and one black parent. There’s debate today on that point.

The Littleton memorial will have a panel saying James came from free slave roots. “Records indicate Louisa County abolitionists had helped the family get settled there.”

But oral history within the Nicewanner family, as descendants of Permelia, states that James actually had Native American roots on one side, said Wagner.

Doug Jones, an archaeologist and Iowa Freedom Trail project manager for the State Historical Society of Iowa, said the little information he has on the Littletons is “quite intriguing.”

“There was a mulatto settlement, and we don’t know much about the settlement.”

Only one of the Littleton brothers, John, had children, and that daughter died before having any of her own. James and Martha Littleton died before the war.

Here’s what is known about each of the brothers’ service records (thanks to the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum for much of the following information):

— George Handy Littleton: George, 33, a cooper, volunteered from service from nearby New Boston, Ill., in March 1862. He is described as having brown eyes and dark hair and complexion. He was with Company B of the 65th Illinois Infantry. Captured by Confederates at Harpers Ferry, W.V., he was later paroled and discharged for disability in Chicago, according to official records, for a disease contracted before service. Woodruff said other material indicates Littleton got sick while in service. “We do not have the exact date or know where we died,” said Woodruff. The Columbus Gazette indicated George died soon after returning home. His grave has not been found.

— John Littleton: Enlisted in August 1862 with Company F of the 19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He suffered a severe thigh injury during fighting at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, on Dec. 7, 1862. He died in Fayetteville, Ark., of wounds on December 18. It’s possible he may be buried among 800 unmarked graves at Fayetteville National Cemetery.

— Kendall Littleton: Also of the 19th Iowa, Kendall was killed in action on Dec. 7, 1862, at Prairie Grove, Ark. His remains were likely later moved to Fayetteville National Cemetery, and are marked as unknown.

— Noah Littleton: Survived the fighting at Prairie Grove but drowned March 1, 1863, in the White River in southern Missouri. His remains were disinterred and he is buried at Springfield (Mo.) National Cemetery. He, too, served in the 19th Iowa.

–Thomas Littleton: A member of the 5th Iowa, suffered a head wound at Iuka, Ms. He was taken prisoner in Chattanooga, Tenn., in November 1863. The private died of chronic diarrhea at Andersonville on June 16, 1864, and is buried at the national cemetery there.

— William Littleton: A corporal with the 8th Iowa, William was wounded at Shiloh in 1862 and died in December 1863 of diarrhea at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. He is buried at the national cemetery there.

There is still plenty more pictures left to share from this trip!

Des Moines & Louisa County Aux. – Vol. 1

Tuesday has traditionally been the day I share images from Rodan139, but frankly I’m currently out of Rodan139 photos to share. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to take some more. My schedule this week with both work and getting free 3-D sculpted Iowa State artwork and hopefully trying some of Scottie D.’s new butcher paper brisket and the Boone County Fair and work party and little kid party and Movie Night is pretty dang full.

Ahhh… the Boone County Fair… this reminds me that I have yet to make an official announcement about Baby Got Rack. Baby Got Rack is taking the year off from competitive barbecue.

I know… I know… it is very sad. However, there is reason for hope. What I’m going to call Baby Got Rack: The Next Generation will be competing at the Boone County Fair’s barbecue competition this year. I thought about going with Baby Got Rack Jr., actually I’m workshopping both. I’ll let you know when I have decided which one I like better.

But back to the Boone County barbecue competition. While Scottie D. won’t be out their slinging ribs and pizza and the loins, his eldest progeny Austin will be entering the youth competition. He had a practice run at the porkloin on Sunday night and Scottie D. says that he nailed it!

My nephew Logan is also competing on Saturday as well. Logan (I don’t think I’m giving away any secrets) is competing in Pork and Turkey. He has practiced with 5 or 6 different recipes for his ribs alone. He also had a practice run on Sunday and while he wasn’t satisfied, I bet they were probably pretty dang delicious.

I’ll be out there at different times of the day helping both parties with anything they need. So while Baby Got Rack won’t be out there slinging that good meat, the next generation will and you should still come out and support them.

Have no fear, even if Baby Got Rack has retired for good, the barbecue community in Boone County is still in good hands.

Also, I will be out there as I am judging the Boone County Fair Photography Contest. It will be a full day!

(Also: Baby Got Rock Founding Father Scottie D. is in charge of the Pufferbilly Days Barbecue Contest this year. It is like we are slowly taking over the world. BGR 4 Life!)

+++++++

Since I don’t have any drone pictures to share, I thought I would start sharing auxiliary images I took while harvesting the town signs of Des Moines County and Louisa County. Both counties have some very interesting things in them. Some things I knew about and some things I did not know about.


Iowa County
Iowa County

Iowa County

Louisa County
Louisa County

Louisa County - Cotter
Cotter

Louisa County - Cotter

Louisa County - Cotter

Louisa County - Columbus City
Columbus City

Louisa County - Columbus City

Louisa County - Columbus Junction
Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction
I would love to see a picture of this original bridge.

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction
Love. Ain’t it grand?

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

When I complete editing and sharing all of the auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, I will put together an Iowa Bridge Power Rankings. I mean it is pretty obvious what is #1, but there is a pretty stiff battle for #2. The Columbus Junction Swinging Bridge is definitely in the mix for a good ranking!

Lee & Van Buren County Aux. – Vol. 5

Today is Logan’s birthday, so I need to wish him a happy birthday. Happy birthday Logan!


Burgertime: Destination Grille

I hope your birthday is filled with many photo opportunities and barbecue opportunities!

+++++++

Today is also Derrick’s birthday. So… happy birthday Derrick!


Day 296 - October 23, 2021

I hope your birthday is filled with as much joy and melt-facing guitar solos as you can handle!

+++++++

Time to share the final collection of images I took while harvesting the town signs of Lee and Van Buren County. All of these pictures were taken in Van Buren County.


Van Buren County - Bentonsport
Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Bentonsport

Van Buren County - Keosauqua
Keosauqua

Van Buren County - Keosauqua

Van Buren County - Keosauqua

Van Buren County - Keosauqua

Van Buren County - Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh

Van Buren County - Cantril
Cantril

Van Buren County - Cantril

Van Buren County - Milton
Milton

Van Buren County - Milton

Van Buren County - Milton

Van Buren County - Milton

Van Buren County - Milton

Van Buren County - Milton
For the record… Edmund Burke was evil AutoFocus. And he also never said this.

Van Buren County - Milton

Van Buren County - Milton

Van Buren County - Milton
I wonder why steel cut was such a big deal.

Van Buren County - Milton

That burger I had at Misty’s Malt Shop in Keosauqua was fantastic! Easily one of the best burgers I’ve ever had from a restaurant.

Next time we hit the open road for auxiliary images of THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT we will hit up Louisa County and Des Moines County.