Author Archives: Jeff

May 06

Centennial Bridge meeting at Rock Island this month

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Illinois Department of Transportation is the lead agency on replacement of the Centennial Bridge, US 67 across the Mississippi River. There will be an open house on May 20 from 3 to 6 PM at the Holiday Inn in … Continue reading →

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May 01

Ramp at US 218/IA 58 to close for two months

Posted on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A press release from the Iowa DOT says that starting next week, the ramp from northbound (westbound) US 218 to southbound IA 58 will close until late July. The detour involves going north on 218 to the Lone Tree Road … Continue reading →

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Apr 29

History sites to see

Posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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

Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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 →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Black Hawk and the Army at Fort Madison
Apr 24

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

Posted on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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

Posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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

Posted on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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

Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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 →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on At a famous site, learning about famous Iowans
Apr 14

State Center shuts down J-turn

Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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’

Posted on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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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