Category Archives: Town Sign Project

Art, Jodie Cue, Road Trip, Teresa, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Henry County

October 4, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

Several weeks back I cruised around Henry County with Teresa harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip as we met up with Jodie and Doug Cue for lunch in Mount Pleasant. The only trip where I met up with somebody who lived in the county where I was harvesting.

Here are some facts about Henry County:
+ Population is 20,387. Making it the 33rd most populous county in Iowa. Below Buchanan County and above Winneshiek County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Mount Pleasant.
+ Formed on December 7, 1836 as part of the Wisconsin Territory and then became part of the Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838.
+ Named for General Henry Dodge.
+ Home of Iowa Wesleyan.
+ Home of the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion.
+ Major highways are US-34, US-218, US-27, IA-16, and IA-78.
+ Adjacent counties are Washington, Louisa, Des Moines, Van Buren, and Jefferson.
+ Population peaked at 21,463 in 1870.

Henry County has a pretty blah courthouse:

The Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

The Henry County Freedom Rock is located in Winfield, Iowa:

With Henry County conquered, her is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

91 counties completed. 91.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Henry County:

Mount Pleasant, Iowa
MT. PLEASANT
Population: 9,274 (+606)

New London, Iowa
Welcome To NEW LONDON
Population: 1,910 (+23)

Winfield, Iowa
Winfield
Est. 1882
Population: 1,033 (-101)

Wayland, Iowa
Wayland
Est. 1880
Population: 964 (-2)

Salem, Iowa
SALEM
FOUNDED 1835
Population: 394 (+11)

Olds, Iowa
WELCOME to Olds
Population: 163 (-66)

Hillsboro, Iowa
HILLSBORO COMMUNITY CENTER
Population: 163 (-17)

Rome, Iowa
Welcome to Rome Chicauqua
Est. 1846
LAND OF THE FREE
BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE
Population: 114 (-3)

Westwood, Iowa
CITY OF WESTWOOD
EST. 1892
Population: 101 (-11)

Mount Union, Iowa – Unincorporated
Mt. Union
Founded 1904

Swedesburg, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome to SWEDESBURG
MUSEUM & GIFT SHOP

Henry County has kind of a mediocre collection of town signs. Not terrible, but not outstanding. The worst one is easily Hillsboro as they didn’t have a real town sign at all. Oh Heavenly Hillsboro! Do you a hole in your head or your head in a hole!

There are a couple of town signs I like in Henry County. Olds has a solid sign. As does Rome and Westwood. I definitely like Salem’s hard to find town sign. But I’m giving the purple ribbon to Swedesburg.

Swedesburg – Best in Show – Henry County

There was one alternate town sign for Henry County:

Mount Pleasant – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clayton County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Henry County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – Muscatine County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Wapello County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

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

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Muscatine County

September 27, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

A few months back I cruised around Muscatine County harvesting their town signs. It was a pretty good trip that concluded with me purchasing the best watermelon I’ve ever had in my life.

Here some facts about Muscatine County:
+ Population is 42,688. Making it the 14th most populous county in Iowa. Below Cerro Gordo and above Marshall.
+ The largest town and county seat is Muscatine.
+ Formed in December of 1836.
+ Possibly named after an island that is named after the Mascouten tribe.
+ Major highways are US-6, US-61, IA-22, IA-38, IA-70, and IA-92.
+ Adjacent counties are: Cedar, Johnson, Louisa, and Scott.
+ Currently at peak population.

Muscatine County has a beautiful courthouse:

The Muscatine County Courthouse located in Muscatine.

The Muscatine County Freedom Rock is located in Wilton, Iowa:

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

90 counties completed. 90.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Muscatine County:

Muscatine, Iowa
IOWA
MUSCATINE
Pearl of the Mississippi
Population: 23,797 (+911)

West Liberty, Iowa
WEST LIBERTY
Population: 3,858 (+122)

Wilton, Iowa (Partially in Cedar County)
WELCOME TO WILTON
HOME OF THE BEAVERS
Population: 2,924 (+122)

Fruitland, Iowa
Welcome to…
FRUITLAND
“A Growing Community”
Population 703
Population: 963 (-14)

Conesville, Iowa
WELCOME TO CONESVILLE
Population: 352 (-80)

Nichols, Iowa
Welcome to NICHOLS
Small town Big heart
Population: 340 (-34)

Atalissa, Iowa
WELCOME TO
Est. 1856
ATALISSA
Pop 271 & 2 Grumps
Population: 296 (-15)

Stockton, Iowa
WELCOME TO STOCKTON
Population: 176 (-21)

Moscow, Iowa – Unincorporated
MOSCOW
1836 SEQUICENTENNIAL 1986

Montpelier, Iowa – Unincorporated
THE VILLAGE OF MONTPELIER
Welcomes You!
est. May 9, 1881

Muscatine County has a pretty solid collection of town signs. I’m not sure which is the worst. It is either West Liberty or Moscow. I’m going to go with Moscow as being the worst because when you have a town name like Moscow, you really should do something sweet with your sign. But I still give any unincorporated town a bit of respect for having a sign.

I love the Fruitland sign for its artwork. I love the Nichols sign because it has been beautifully abandoned. I love that Atalissa has taken the grump count to Readlyn and upped them by one. I love the beaver artwork on the Wilton town sign. I love how the Stockton town sign is so in your face about how they are polluting and destroying the environment. Deal with it. I have a feeling a few of those are going to make it into the book. The book that I hope to start working on sometime around November. But I’m going to have to give the purple ribbon to Conesville.

Conesville – Best in Show – Muscatine County

There are a few alternate town signs in Muscatine County:

Nichols – Alternate

Fruitland – Alternate

Conesville – Alternate

Wilton – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clayton County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – Muscatine County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Wapello County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit the town signs of Henry County.

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Wapello County

September 20, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

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

Here are some facts about Wapello County:
+ Population is 35,256. Making it the 20th most populous county in Iowa. Below Sioux County and above Marion County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Ottumwa.
+ Was formed on February 17, 1843.
+ Named for the Meskwaki Chief Wapello.
+ The “birthplace” of Iowa.
+ Site of the house in the background of Grant Wood’s painting “American Gothic”.
+ Major highways are: US-34, US-63, IA-16, IA-137, IA-149.
+ Adjacent counties are Mahaska, Keokuk, Jefferson, Davis, and Monroe.
+ Population peaked in 1950 at 47,397.

The Wapello Courthouse is kinda cool looking but the statue on the top is next level:

Wapello County Courthouse in Ottumwa, Iowa.

The Wapello County Freedom Rock is located in Ottumwa, Iowa.

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

PURPLE=STRONG

89 counties completed. 88.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Wapello County:

Ottumwa, Iowa
OTTUMWA
CITY OF BRIDGES
Population: 25,529 (+506)

Eddyville, Iowa – Also in Mahaska and Monroe Counties
Home of the Rockets
EDDYVILLE
SINCE 1840
Population: 970 (-54)

Eldon, Iowa
Welcome to ELDON
Home of the American Gothic House
Population: 783 (-144)

Agency, Iowa
Agency
Home of Chief Wapello
Population: 620 (-18)

Blakesburg, Iowa
Welcome To BLAKESBURG
Founded in 1854
Population: 274 (-22)

Kirkville, Iowa
WELCOME TO KIRKVILLE
EST. 1844
Population: 157 (-10)

Chillicothe, Iowa
WELCOME TO Chillicothe
Est. 1881
Population: 76 (-21)

I don’t know that there is really a bad town sign in the bunch. I would say the most disappointing is Eldon. When yo have something so iconic as the American Gothic house in your town, your really need to do better with your town sign.

As for the purple ribbon. Best in Show? I really like the Chillicothe sign, but it has to go to Agency.

Agency – Best in Show – Wapello County

There was only on alternate town sign in Wapello County:

Agency – alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clayton County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Wapello County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

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

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Clayton County

September 13, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

A few months back I made two separate trips to harvest the town signs of Clayton County. It was a great trip and I truly believe that Clayton County is one of the prettiest counties in Iowa. The whole region of Iowa is spectacular!

Here are some facts about Clayton County:
+ Population is 16,998. Making it the 41st most populous county in Iowa. Below Delaware County and above Tama County.
+ The largest town is Postville. The county seat is Elkader.
+ Established in 1837.
+ Named after John M. Clayton, a Senator from Delaware and the Secretary of State under Zachary Taylor.
+ Part of the Driftless Area.
+ 5th largest county in Iowa by area.
+ Home to Effigy Mounds National Monument. (Partially)
+ Major highways are US-18, US-13, US-52, IA-128, IA-56, IA-3, and IA-76.
+ Adjacent counties are Allamakee, Dubuque, Fayette, Delaware, Winneshiek, and Buchanan.
+ Population peaked at 28,829 in 1880.

Clayton County has a decent, but not spectacular looking courthouse:

The Clayton County Courthouse in Elkader, Iowa.

The Clayton County Freedom Rock is located in Guttenberg:

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

PURPLE=COMPLETED

88 counties completed. 88.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Clayton County:

Postville, Iowa (Partially in Allamakee County)
EST. 1849
POSTVILLE
Hometown to the World
Population: 2,503 (+276)

Guttenberg, Iowa
Guttenberg
Historic Rivertown
Population: 1,817 (-102)

Monona, Iowa
Garden City of Iowa
MONONA
Incorporate 1897
Population: 1,471 (-78)

Elkader, Iowa
WELCOME TO ELKDAER
SHOP DINE EXPLORE & MORE
Population: 1,209 (-64)

Strawberry Point, Iowa
STRAWBERRY POINT
Population: 1,155 (-124)

Edgewood, Iowa (Partially Delaware County)
CITY OF EDGEWOOD
Population: 909 (+45)

Garnavillo, Iowa
Welcome To GARNAVILLO
Gem of the Prairie
Population: 763 (+18)

McGregor, Iowa
Est. 1837
WELCOME TO HISTORIC McGREGOR
Home of Pikes Peak
Population: 742 (-130)

Marquette, Iowa
MARQUETTE
WELCOMES YOU
Population: 429 (+54)

Luana, Iowa
Welcome to LUANA
Population: 301 (+32)

Farmersburg, Iowa
Farmersburg
THE SMALL TOWN IN THE COUNTRY
Population: 271 (-31)

Volga City, Iowa
VOLGA CITY
Population: 203 (-5)

North Buena Vista, Iowa
Welcome to:
North Buena Vista
GROTTO
BOATING FISHING
Population: 109 (-12)

St. Olaf, Iowa
St. Olaf Civic Center
Population: 106 (-2)

Garber & Elkport, Iowa
Welcome to the Elkport-Garber Community
Where The Rivers Run Wild
Garber Population: 76 (-12)
Elkport Population: 29 (-8)

Clayton, Iowa
CLAYTON
Est. 1849
Population: 45 (+2)

Osterdock, Iowa
Welcome to Osterdock
God’s Country
Population: 43 (-16)

Hardin, Iowa – Ghost Town
VILLAGE OF HARDIN

That is a pretty solid set of town signs. I think the worst one is pretty obvious though. It is St. Olaf. It isn’t really a town sign, just a sign marking their Civic Center.

But who gets the purple ribbon for Clayton County? I love the signs for Osterdock and Marquette and Guttenberg and Elkport-Garber and Garnavillo and Monona and Postville. Volage City’s town sign is a fountain! A FOUNTAIN! I don’t imagine there is another town sign in Iowa that is a fountain. But only one town has a town sign that is also the world’s largest strawberry. I have to give the prize to Strawberry Point.

Strawberry Point – Best in Show – Clayton County

There are quite a few alternate town signs in Clayton County:

McGregor – Alternate

Guttenberg – Alternate

Volga City – Alternate

Strawberry Point – Alternate

Monona – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clayton County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

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

Art, History, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Washington County

September 6, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A few weeks back I cruised around Washington County harvesting their town signs. It was a great trip as Washington County has a couple of my favorite spots in Iowa to visit.

Here are some facts about Washington County:
+ Population is 22,491 making it the 27th most populous county in Iowa. Below Bremer and above Mahaska.
+ The largest town and county seat is Washington.
+ Formed in 1838 as Slaughter County. Later organized as Washington County when it was moved from the Wisconsin Territory to the Iowa Territory. Named after George Washington. A character from Hamilton. You know, the guy who said, “My name’s been through a lot, I can take it.” and “You have no control. Who lives, who dies, who tells your story.”
+ Home of the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise.
+ Home of the Kalona Creamery and Golden Delight Bakery, two of my favorite places in Iowa and places where I have fond family memories.
+ Major highways are: US-218, IA-1, IA-22, IA-27, IA-78, and IA-92.
+ Adjacent counties are: Iowa, Johnson, Louisa, Henry, Jefferson, and Keokuk.
+ Currently at peak population.

Washington County has a beautiful courthouse that I could have done a better job of photographing:

The Washington County Courthouse located in Washington, Iowa.

The Washington County Freedom Rock is located in Brighton, Iowa.

With Washington County completed, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

87 counties completed. 87.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Washington County:

Washington, Iowa
WASHINGTON
Population: 7,352 (+86)

Kalona, Iowa
Welcome to KALONA
SINCE 1879
Population: 2,630 (+267)

Wellman, Iowa
WELCOME TO WELLMAN
Population: 1,524 (+116)

Riverside, Iowa
WELCOME TO RIVERSIDE
Where The Trek Begins
Population: 1,060 (+67)

Brighton, Iowa
Home of Lake Darling
Brighton
Population: 600 (-52)

Ainsworth, Iowa
City of Ainsworth
Population: 511 (-56)

Crawfordsville, Iowa
CRAWFORDSVILLE
BIRTHPLACE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
FEBRUARY 23RD, 1854
Population: 277 (+13)

West Chester, Iowa
Welcome to WEST CHESTER
Population: 144 (+2)

Coppock, Iowa – Also in Henry and Jefferson Counties
Population: 36 (-11)

Last place is kind of a no brainer. Even in a county filled with nondescript and boring signs, Coppock is dead last for only having the DOT sign. The weird thing about Coppock is there is actually a decent sized business in the Eagles Nest. You would think they would have a sign.

As for Crawfordsville being the Birthplace of the Republican Party. #1. The original founders of the Republican Party must be completely ashamed to see what their party has become. #2. The Republican Party doesn’t recognize Crawfordsville as the birthplace of the Republican Party. There are two towns that fight over this distinction. Jackson, Michigan and Ripon, Wisconsin. Neither one, you might notice, is Crawfordsville, Iowa.

So what gives?

The Republican Party used to claim that the first informal meeting took place in Ripon on March 20, 1854. Then the first formal meeting took place in Jackson on July 6, 1854. The first organizing convention took place in Pittsburgh on February 22, 1856. The the first nominating convention took place in Philadelphia opening on June 17, 1856.

The Republican Party doesn’t site either place as their birthplace.

So where does Crawfordsville, Iowa come into this mix?

In February 23, 1854 delegates met in the Seceder Church and House of All Nations and drew up resolutions which began the Republican Party. There are no written proof of the actual meeting and you never see Crawfordsville mentioned as a possible birthplace of the Republican Party. Maybe it is for the best.

But after all of that, you are probably wondering what is the best town sign in Washington County. I do like the Riverside sign. I also like the Ainsworth sign. But clearly, Best in Show goes to Kalona.

Kalona – Best in Show – Washington County

There a few alternate town signs in Washington County:

Riverside – Alternate

Kalona – Alternate

Brighton – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

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

Art, Elizabeth, Road Trip, Town Sign Project, WPC - Submissions

Town Sign Project: Johnson County

August 30, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I don’t want to get into too much of how much effort it takes on the backend of this website to make the part of the website you see. But for every picture that is submitted to THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, it takes about 5 minutes of work to prepare that picture and put it on the website, so the rest of the world can see it.

Every once in awhile, I can jack something up in that 5 minute span. Despite my extensive use of a proofreader and a QA department. Yesterday, that happened with Elizabeth’s picture for Circle. It would take a long time to explain what happened, but the short version is, something bad. It might have been karma. Monkey Bread Hoax Karma.

Therefore, enjoy Elizabeth’s picture now:

Elizabeth Nordeen

Lot of circles in that pictures!

My apologies. It will probably happen again.

One thing I forgot to mention about THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE for this week is that next Monday is Labor Day. While the government and schools and banks take the day off, there are no days off for Photography 139. The struggle is real! But I might not be in a position to send out any reminders. Plan your submissions accordingly!

+++++++

A couple months back I made it back to Johnson County to harvest the rest of their town signs. I took the majority of the Johnson County signs back in April when a family member was at the University of Iowa Hospital having surgery. Only one person was allowed in with them and I was the odd person out. Mostly because of my lack of medical knowledge. I spent the time waiting for the surgery to be over driving around Johnson County. Then I came back several months later and harvested the last two signs.

Here are some facts about Johnson County:
+ Population is 150,819 making it the 4th most populous county in Iowa. Below Scott County and above Black Hawk County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Iowa City.
+ Established in 1837.
+ This is pretty cool. Originally named after US Vice President Richard M. Johnson. As his name implies, he was a dick. Slave owner. Used the fact that he may have (but may not have) killed Shawnee Chief Tecumseh to political advantage. In 2020 the County Board of Supervisors changed the county namesake to Lulu Merle Johnson. The first black woman in the state to get her doctorate. Only the second in the United States. Making Johnson County the only county in Iowa named after an African-American and only the second named after a woman. (By my math.) On the other hand, there are several named after vile racists.
+ Home of the second largest university in the state, the University of Iowa. The first public university in the United States to admit men and women on an equal basis.
+ Birthplace of Ashley Joens. The greatest basketball player in Iowa State women’s basketball history.
+ Major highways are: I-80, I-380, US-6, US-218, IA-1, IA-22, and IA-27.
+ Adjacent counties are: Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Linn, Muscatine, Louisa, and Washington.
+ Currently at peak population.

The Johnson County Courthouse is beautiful. Possibly Top 10. Maybe Top 5. Well Top 10.

The Johnson County Courthouse in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Johnson County Freedom Rock is located in Solon, Iowa.

With Johnson County completed, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

86 counties completed. 86.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

West Branch is in Johnson County, but mostly in Cedar County. I shared the West Branch sign when I shared the Cedar County signs.

Here are the town signs of Johnson County:

Iowa City, Iowa
IOWA CITY
Population: 74,828 (+10,966)

Coralville, Iowa
welcome to CORALVILLE
Population: 22,318 (+3,411)

North Liberty, Iowa
WELCOME To NORTH LIBERTY
Population: 20,479 (+7,105)

Tiffin, Iowa
Tiffin
Population: 4,512 (+2,565)

Solon, Iowa
SOLON
Population: 3,018 (+981)

Lone Tree, Iowa
WELCOME TO LONE TREE
Population: 1,357 (+57)

University Heights, Iowa
WELCOME TO THE CITY OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
Population: 1,228 (+177)

Swisher, Iowa
WELCOME TO SWISHER
Population: 914 (+35)

Hills, Iowa
WELCOME TO HILLS
WHERE TOWN AND COUNTRY MEET
Population: 863 (+160)

Shueyville, Iowa
Welcome to THE TOWN OF Shueyville
EST. 1855
Population: 731 (+154)

Oxford, Iowa
Oxford
Population: 722 (-85)

Sutliff, Iowa – Unincorporated
SUTLIFF
OLD BRIDGE – SCENIC VIEW – BOAT RAMP – TAVERN – FUN

Clearly the worst town sign in Johnson County is the sign for University Heights. Basically just a DOT sign.

But what gets Best of Show. What gets the purple ribbon. I like the sign from Shueyville and Swisher and Oxford, but this one is pretty obvious. It is Lone Tree:

Lone Tree – Best in Show – Johnson County

There are a couple of alternate town signs in Johnson County:

Hills – Alternate

Lone Tree – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

Next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT we will be visiting Washington County.

Art, Road Trip, Teresa, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Allamakee County

August 23, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

A few months back I went to Allamakee County to harvest their town signs. Teresa went with my on this trip. I now firmly believe that Allamakee County is the most beautiful county in Iowa. If not, the whole Driftless Area is the most beautiful part of Iowa. I hope to go back up there this fall when the leaves change and do some more photography. Hopefully the scheduling works out.

Here are some facts about Allamakee County:
+ Population is 13,761 making it the 57th most populous county in Iowa. Below O’Brien County and above Cass County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Waukon.
+ Formed on February 20, 1847.
+ There are two theories on who Allamakee County is named after. One is that is was named after a tribal leader. The other theory is is was named after Allen Magee, an early trader. Whomever it was named after, still better than being named after human trash like Andrew Jackson.
+ Located in the northeast corner of Iowa.
+ Part of the Driftless Area, which means there was no ice there during the last ice age.
+ Home of Effigy Mounds National Monument.
+ Home of Yellow River State Forest, which is home to the only fire watch tower in Iowa. (Not currently in use.)
+ Major highways are: US-18, US-52, IA-9, IA-26, IA-51, and IA-76.
+ Adjacent counties are: Clayton, Winneshiek, and Fayette.
+ Population peaked in 1880 at 19,791.

The Allamakee County Courthouse is pretty ugly:

The Allamakee County Courthouse located in Waukon, Iowa.

The Allamakee County Freedom Rock is located in Waukon, Iowa:

With Allamakee County completed, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

85 counties completed. 85.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Allamakee County:

Waukon, Iowa
WAUKON
NEXT 2 EXITS
Population: 3,827 (-70)

Postville, Iowa – Partially in Clayton County
EST. 1849
POSTVILLE
Hometown of the World
Population: 2,228 (+1)

Lansing, Iowa
LANSING
Where Eagles Soar
Population: 968 (-31)

New Albin, Iowa
NEW ALBIN
WELCOMES YOU TO KEE HAWK COUNTY
SHOOKY FINK BASEBALL LEGEND 1917-188
Iowa’s Richest High School Baseball Tradition!
Population: 432 (-90)

Harpers Ferry, Iowa
WELCOME TO HARPERS FERRY
Population: 262 (-66)

Waterville, Iowa
Welcome to Waterville
Population: 109 (-35)

Volney, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome to VOLNEY
est 1852

I know I’m just loving on Allamakee County, but I think at the aggregate level, this county has the best collection of town signs. True, there are only 6 incorporated towns, and that helps, but I don’t feel like picking a worst one. Okay, it is Waterville. But even the Waterville sign would be the best in some counties.

But who gets the Purple Ribbon? I do truly love them all, but I am giving it to Harpers Ferry. The sailboat sign is just incredibly unique. But more than one sign from this county will probably make the book.

Harpers Ferry – Best in Show – Allamakee County

There is only one alternate town sign in Allamakee County:

Volney – Alternate

Some of you might be wondering why I even bothered to photograph the Volney alternate sign, when it has probably fallen off by now. You know I love the old, decrepit, and the damaged. It is why Laura once very mistakenly accused me of having hipster tendencies. Elizabeth once told me that I was attracted to damaged people. Which now I think about it, is there another kind?

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road, we will visit Johnson County.

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Fayette County

August 16, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

A few months back I cruised around Fayette County harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip:

Here are some facts about Fayette County:
+ Population is 19,604 making it the 35th most populous county in Iowa. Below Henry County and above Jackson County.
+ The largest town is Oelwein.
+ The county seat is West Union.
+ It is hard to say when Fayette County formed because it was part of the Wisconsin Territory and then party of the Iowa Territory. It was organized into its current size in 1850.
+ Named after Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette. A French general who fought with the Americans in the Revolutionary War. You know, the guy from HAMILTON. “I dream of France without a monarchy/The unrest in France will lead to “onarchy”/Onarchy? How you say? How you… oh, anarchy!”
+ Home of Upper Iowa University.
+ Major highways are: US-18, IA-3, IA-56, IA-93, IA-150, IA-187, and IA-281.
+ Adjacent counties are: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Bremer, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, and Winneshiek.
+ Population peaked in 1920 at 29,251.

The Fayette County Courthouse isn’t bad. Very similar to Boone’s.

The Fayette County Courthouse in West Union, Iowa.

The Fayette County Freedom Rock is located in Fayette, Iowa.

With Fayette County completed, here is the Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

84 counties down. 84.8% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Fayette County:

Oelwein, Iowa
Welcome To…
OELWEIN
Population: 5,920 (-495)

West Union, Iowa
West Union
WELCOME YOU
Population: 2,490 (+4)

Fayette, Iowa
FAYETTE
UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY
Est. 1857
Population: 1,256 (-82)

Fairbank, Iowa (Partially Buchanan)
Welcome to Fairbank
Population: 1,111 (-2)

Elgin, Iowa
WILLKOMMEN
GRUETZI MITEN AND
GREETINS ONE AND ALL
ELGIN
Little Switzerland of Iowa
Population: 685 (+2)

Clermont, Iowa
WELCOMT TO HISTORIC CLERMONT
Home of Willaim Larrabee,
Governor of Iowa, 1886-1890
Population: 586 (-46)

Maynard, Iowa
City of Maynard
WELCOMES YOU
Where the River Flows North
Population: 476 (-42)

Hawkeye, Iowa
HAWKEYE
2 MILES
Population: 438 (-11)

Arlington, Iowa
ARLINGTON
Where Hills and Prairie Meet
Population: 419 (-10)

Waucoma, Iowa
WAUCOMA
Just A Few Short Streets
Where Old Friends Meet
Founded – 1855
Population: 229 (-28)

Wadena, Iowa
Home of The Lighted Cross
Welcome To WADENA
Population: 209 (-53)

Westgate, Iowa
Welcome To Westgate
Population: 192 (-19)

St. Lucas, Iowa
ST. LUCAS
INC. 1900
WELCOMES YOU
Population: 167 (+24)

Randalia, Iowa
RANDALIA CENTENNIAL PARK
Population: 50 (-18)

Oran, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome To ORAN

Clearly the worst town sign in Fayette County is Randalia cause it isn’t even a true town sign.

But who gets Best in Show? There are some town signs in Fayette County that I really like. I like Waucoma. I like Wadena. I like Westgate. I like Arlington. I like Hawkeye. But my favorite is definitely Clermont. Backup the purple ribbon truck!

Clermont – Best in Show – Fayette County

There were a few alternate town signs in Fayette County:

West Union – Alternate

Hawkeye – Alternate

Fayette – Alternate

Arlington – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

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

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Winneshiek County

August 10, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A couple of weeks back I tooled around Winneshiek County harvesting their town signs. Winneshiek County is one of the most beautiful places in Iowa. If I had to rank the most beautiful areas in Iowa, the Driftless Area would be first. The Loess Hills would be second. Then there would be a big gap and then the Des Moines River Valley.

Here are some facts about Winneshiek County:
+ The population is 20,090, making it the 32nd most populous county in Iowa. Below Carroll County and above Buena Vista County.
+ Decorah is the largest town and the county seat.
+ Organized in 1847.
+ Named after the Chief of the Winnebago tribe.
+ Home of Bily Clocks.
+ Home of Dunnings Springs waterfall, the pretties waterfall in Iowa.
+ Major highways are: US-52, IA-9, IA-24, IA-139, and IA-150.
+ Adjacent counties are: Allamakee, Fayette, Chickasaw, Howard, and Clayton.
+ Population peaked in 1880 at 23,398.

The Winneshiek County Courthouse is beautiful:

The Winneshiek County Courthouse in Decorah, Iowa.

The Winneshiek County Freedom Rock is located in Calmar, Iowa.

With Winneshiek County completed, here is the Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

83 Counties down. 83.8% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Winneshiek County:

Decorah, Iowa
DECORAH
Population: 7,587 (-540)

Calmar, Iowa
WELCOME TO CALMAR
EST. 1850
Population: 1,125 (+147)

Ossian, Iowa
OSSIAN
Est 1850
Population: 802 (-43)

Spillville, Iowa
WELCOME TO SPILLVILLE
Population: 385 (+18)

Fort Atkinson, Iowa
WELCOME TO HISTORIC FORT ATKINSON
Population: 312 (-37)

Ridgeway, Iowa
A NICE PLACE TO LIVE
RIDGEWAY
‘Where BIG Things Come In Small Packages’
FOUNDED IN 1867
POPULATION 295
Population: 275 (-40)

Castalia, Iowa
Entering
CASTALIA
Homes of Caring People
Population: 145 (-28)

Jackson Junction, Iowa
EST. 1897
JACKSON JUNCTION

Winneshiek County, for being such a beautifully natural county, has a fairly weak collection of town signs. I’m going to have to give last place to Decorah. What a disappointment of a town sign for such a beautiful town.

For the purple ribbon. For Best in Show… hmmmm. I like the Calmar sign. I like the Ridgeway sign. But I’m giving it to Castalia.

Castalia – Best in Show – Winneshiek County

There is only one alternate town sign in Winneshiek County:

Spillville Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

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

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Delaware County

August 2, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

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

Here are some fun facts about Delaware County:
+ Population is 17,107 making it the 42nd most populous county in Iowa. Behind Dickinson County and above Crawford County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Manchester.
+ Named after the state of Delaware.
+ Major highways are: US-20, IA-3, IA-13, and IA-38.
+ Adjacent counties are Buchanan, Clayton, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, and Linn.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 19,185.

The Delaware County is beautiful:

The Delaware County Courthouse in Manchester, Iowa.

The Delaware County Freedom Rock is located in Dundee, Iowa.

With Delaware County completed, here is the Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

82 counties down. 82.8% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Delaware County:

Manchester, Iowa
MANCHESTER
Population: 5,065 (-114)

Edgewood, Iowa
CITY OF EDGEWOOD
BUSINESS DISTRICT
Population: 909 (+45)

Earlville, Iowa
EARLVILLE
Population: 716 (-96)

Hopkinton, Iowa
Welcome to HOPKINTON
Population: 622 (-6)

Delhi, Iowa
Welcome to Delhi
est. 1842
Population: 420 (-40)

Colesburg, Iowa
Welcome To
Est. 1848
COLESBURG
Gateway to the Beautiful Hill Country
Population 412
Population: 386 (-18)

Ryan, Iowa
City of Ryan
Community of Unity
Population: 350 (-11)

Greeley, Iowa
Welcome To GREELEY
Population: 217 (-39)

Dundee, Iowa
Welcome To DUNDEE
TINY IN SIZE
MIGHTY IN PRIDE
Population: 198 (+24)

Delaware, Iowa
DELAWARE
Where Friends Meet
THE HEART OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Population: 142 (-17)

Masonville, Iowa
Welcome to MASONVILLE
Population: 99 (-28)

Oneida, Iowa – Unincorporated
Est. 1896
Oneida

Petersburg, Iowa – Unincorporated
First Consecrated Church in Iowa
Welcome to PETERSBURG

Buck Creek, Iowa – Unincorporated
WELCOME TO BUCK CREEK
POP 30

Delaware County has a solid collection of signs. I don’t hate any of them, but if I have to give a worst town sign out, it goes to Earlville. Ryan isn’t much better.

But who gets the Purple Ribbon? Who gets Best in Show. I like the Oneida sign. I like the Greeley sign. I like the Manchester sign. I like the Manchester sign. I like the Petersburg sign. I’m going to give it to Oneida though. I think it is the most unique.

Oneida – Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Greeley – Alternate

Colesburg – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

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

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

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

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