Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Dec 11

The last link in the Transcontinental Railroad

Did you know that when the (first) Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, there was no connection between Omaha and Council Bluffs? A bridge wouldn’t be built for three years. The story of that bridge, and how it took a … Continue reading

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Dec 08

Cedar Rapids annexes one house

In September, the state’s City Development Board approved Cedar Rapids’ annexation of 3241 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE. One property, singular. Screencap via Linn County GIS website The long driveway in the middle goes to First Assembly of God Church, which … Continue reading

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Nov 22

Belle Plaine, Reinbeck churches in second wave of UMC disaffiliations

On New Year’s Day 2023, Grundy County had four United Methodist Churches. On New Year’s Eve 2023, it will have one. Two of the churches, in Conrad and Grundy Center, disaffiliated from the UMC in May (officially June 30) in … Continue reading

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Nov 13

Election Day and ballot silliness

My Substack post with a Tama County Election Day hook, that also took a look at the ballot structures for combined city/school elections, made Saturday’s display at the Iowa Capital Dispatch. If you like, please subscribe! (Better yet, chip in … Continue reading

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Nov 01

Earliest history of Iowa college football on TV

The first part of in-depth research into the real first time football teams from Iowa showed up on television — if not necessarily in Iowa — is live on my Substack.

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Sep 26

Ely community center would replace old school

Ely voters in November will be deciding on a $7 million bond issue to build a community center, KCRG reports. (Link includes autoplay video and no longer works in my version of Safari.) The bond does not cover the entire … Continue reading

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Sep 22

Annexation of entire towns: A history

In my latest Substack post, I write about some notable cases in Iowa history where one community was entirely subsumed by another. In one case, it was one community swallowing eight others. (I bet you can figure out what city … Continue reading

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Sep 11

Part of San Marnan Drive renamed

The westernmost mile of San Marnan Drive in Waterloo has been renamed. As of Sept. 1, the segment from Ansborough Avenue west to West 4th Street is Van G. Miller Way. Miller founded VGM Group, a company located on the … Continue reading

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Aug 28

Namesake’s descendant visits Waukon

The Waukon Standard has an interesting story about a connection to the town’s history. Prosper Waukon, the great-great-grandson of John Waukon, gave a presentation about his family’s history to the town in late July. The Waukon lineage has a period … Continue reading

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Aug 04

The Iowa State Fair: An appreciation

My latest Substack column is about something I love. I admit that after going 0-for-3 in job interviews over five weeks, I’m not feeling the last sentence I wrote for it right now. Please subscribe, with money if you feel … Continue reading

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