Author Archives: Jeff

Apr 29

History sites to see

I spent “spring break” going museum-ing in two cities and doing heavy research in Des Moines. This is the last weekend for the Green Book exhibit in Omaha, but the rest of the Durham Museum is a must-see any time. … Continue reading

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Apr 28

Black Hawk and the Army at Fort Madison

When the U.S. Army built Fort Madison, the first fort on the west side of the Mississippi River, the Native American tribes in the area took notice. Chief Black Hawk was the leader of one of those tribes. Through his … Continue reading

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Apr 24

Iowa’s 1920 highway system: IA 99, a road like a river

How hard could it be to trace a highway that, for the most part, is effectively barred from moving eastward because of the Mississippi River? Turns out, very. The flow of IA 99 between Davenport and Clinton changes channels much … Continue reading

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Apr 21

License Plate Letters — QQP

I’ve seen a lot of QQ plates out there and I got SO close when I spotted a QQP, but I have yet to see a true QQQ out in the field. I assume there are a thousand of them … Continue reading

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Apr 18

US 63 closing from Toledo to IA 96 for months

There’s a little detour to get around the future roundabout at old 30, and then there’s this project. US 63 from the north end of Toledo to just south of the IA 96 junction is going to be pulverized to … Continue reading

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Apr 16

At a famous site, learning about famous Iowans

Jeff Stein brought his “Stories of Famous Iowans” series to Terrace Hill Historic Site in March. Visitors to the event also got to tour the site, the current Iowa governor’s residence. The presentation had expanded versions of his radio stories, … Continue reading

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Apr 14

State Center shuts down J-turn

In mid-March, the Iowa DOT reversed itself on plans to change the US 30 intersection on the south side of State Center into a specialized type that limits turning. It’s about the “J-turn”, rebranded a “reduced-conflict intersection,” which involves traffic … Continue reading

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Apr 13

‘Women in the American Founding’

As a relative of Abigail Adams, I couldn’t not go to this presentation about notable women in the American Revolution. (Our common ancestors are also the parents of Gov. John Winthrop of Massachusetts Bay Colony, not that I’m humblebragging or … Continue reading

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Apr 09

Governor Larrabee and Clermont

On the last day of February, far northeast Iowa got some snow. The divide between Arlington, which had nothing, and Clermont, which had light flakes, was stark. The weather added some flavor to pictures I took at Montauk, the historic … Continue reading

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Apr 07

Toledo roundabout construction starts this week

We knew it was coming, and now it’s here. Construction on the first roundabout in Tama County starts this week. It’s at the intersection of US 63 and Business 30 in Toledo. Stage 1A, according to the DOT’s press release, … Continue reading

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