Author Archives: Jeff

Jan 30

PSA from the Empire Weather Service

If you’re cold, they’re cold. Bring your tauntauns inside.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on PSA from the Empire Weather Service
Jan 28

Mallard school will be demolished

2017 photo via Iowa Geographic Map Server The Mallard City Council doesn’t want the largest building in town. The West Bend-Mallard school district had a work session with the Mallard City Council on October 16 to discuss the fate of … Continue reading

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Mallard school will be demolished
Jan 25

Matchstick Marvels’ latest creation — and expiration date

Pat Acton of Gladbrook has been making very large things out of matchsticks for a long time. But supplies are running out. His latest creation is a 2/3-scale 1970 Dodge Charger with working lights. It is in Gladbrook for a … Continue reading

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Matchstick Marvels’ latest creation — and expiration date
Jan 24

Shopko closures hit small county seats

February 9, 2012: The Bloomfield Pamida is shown shortly after the announcement that the small-scale retailer’s merger with Shopko would result in the Pamida name disappearing. The smallest stores, like this one, were rebranded Shopko Hometown. The retailpocalypse is big, … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Shopko closures hit small county seats
Jan 23

Waukee changes elementary boundaries. Again.

The as-yet-unnamed second Waukee high school is 2½ years from opening, and before that time, school officials will have to plot out a feeder system. First, though, it has to cope with an entire district’s worth of students pouring in … Continue reading

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Waukee changes elementary boundaries. Again.
Jan 22

Last walk through Webster City Kmart

According to the June 18, 1981, Daily Freeman-Journal, “several hundred people” were waiting when the new K-mart opened its doors in Webster City. It was the most prominent big-box retailer to have a store in Hamilton County. Webster City already … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Last walk through Webster City Kmart
Jan 21

Ladora Bank Bistro cashes out

This century, the Ladora Savings Bank building has gone from dead to resurrected to waiting for a new inhabitant. The “jewel box” bank that was a victim of the Depression was vacant in 2004 when it caught the eye of … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Ladora Bank Bistro cashes out
Jan 18

The other piece of 1920s highway left in Woodbury County

The previous post talked about a bridge on Correctionville Road being the last rural remnant of very early paving on the road that became US 20 in Woodbury County. There’s one urban remnant, too, whose time is limited but we … Continue reading

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on The other piece of 1920s highway left in Woodbury County
Jan 17

A piece of 1920s highway left in Woodbury County

October 9, 2018: Model T’s drove on this bridge over Big Whisky Creek in Woodbury County, right near the place Correctionville Road dips closest to present US 20. One of the last two remaining pieces of one of Iowa’s first … Continue reading

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on A piece of 1920s highway left in Woodbury County
Jan 16

How long was the term of Iowa’s shortest-serving governor?

Baby boomers in Iowa’s Class of 1969 were one of three groups of students, and the most recent, to have a political oddity: A senior year with three governors. Twice before, Iowa had had governors serving under 60 days: Warren … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on How long was the term of Iowa’s shortest-serving governor?