Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Nov 14

Yes, we have no information

Posted on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The visitor information booth that was visible coming into the Iowa State University campus from the south on Elwood Drive University Boulevard has been demolished, according to this short blurb on the ISU website. But the growth of mobile-friendly websites … Continue reading →

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Nov 11

Iowa’s last two Kmarts will close

Posted on Monday, November 11, 2019, at 10:15 AM by Jeff

Weeks ago, USA Today reported that more Sears and Kmart stores would be closing in the future, but did not have information about which ones. Now we know that whatever’s left of the shambles of Sears/Kmart won’t include Iowa. KCHA … Continue reading →

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Nov 07

IA 333: The hot-potato highway

Posted on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 2, 2015: The beginning of IA 333 as seen from an I-29 offramp. The entire route, along with the town of Hamburg, was underwater in the spring of 2019. The Great Decommissioning of 1980 was the end result of … Continue reading →

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Nov 06

IA 999: The untold story (5)

Posted on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Looking at state maps in the early 1970s, it seems clear-cut. IA 333 runs from the Fremont/Page county line to 71, there’s a secret designation for the route to College Springs, and the absence of a 333 marker east of … Continue reading →

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Nov 05

IA 999: The untold story (4)

Posted on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Southern Page County did its damnedest to put itself on a paved path to prosperity. The Highway 333 Association formed in the summer of 1959 with the goal of getting the road from US 275 near Hamburg to US 71 … Continue reading →

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Nov 04

IA 999: The untold story (3)

Posted on Monday, November 4, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

On the official state transportation map, the highway on the corner of Iowa’s floor was stable for 20 years. There was only one change to IA 333 marked between 1943 and 1964: It was straightened to miss College Springs and … Continue reading →

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Oct 24

City Hall as bulletin board; or, Meats and Treats

Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Might as well pass on the plug. October 23, 2019: Taped on the entrance to Liscomb City Hall. (IDEA: Adult costume/trick or treat for prime rib! Thermal storage bag required.)

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Oct 18

Out of the Boondocks

Posted on Friday, October 18, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Boondocks, USA (Williams, Iowa), October 19, 2018 — I had never eaten at the Boondocks. Here it was, this famous truck stop, in the middle of Iowa at a once-major junction, a place I passed near many times on family … Continue reading →

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Oct 15

Interstate 880 coming to Iowa!?!

Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

July 24, 2019: For a limited time only The fall meeting of the AASHTO Special Committee on Route Numbering, which took place Oct. 5, has a doozy of a bombshell. Immediate reaction: W.T.F. Item No. 5 – State: Iowa Route: I-880 Action: … Continue reading →

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Oct 10

Submarine Veterans Highway dedication Monday

Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Submarine Veterans Highway, running from the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown to the State Capitol, will be dedicated Monday. The Marshalltown Times-Republican has more. A Marshalltown native died when a submarine sank off the coast of New Hampshire in 1939. … Continue reading →

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