(May 1, 1946-November 25, 1981)
NORTH End: Attica St., Marathon, Buena Vista County
Facing north on 390 (10/20/18)
IA 390 was created as a result of a realignment of IA 10, but it was not a directly left-behind segment of the highway. In 1941, paving of 10 west of Marathon moved the route south a mile to the straight line it is today. The old road ran on the section line at the west city limits. After the war was over, Marathon pulled back its city limits enough on the south side to mandate a spur come into town.
Facing north on 390 (10/20/18)
I thought 390 may have ended at the railroad tracks after going through the business district. The route log wasn't long enough, though, and the elevator was past that. It wasn't until the mid-2010s, with new documentation released online, that I knew the endpoint was fixed at Attica Street.
Surrounding area information: Jim's Junk Shop
This building, on the south side of the business district, immediately brought to my mind the George Preston Station in Belle Plaine, about 200 miles away. Notice the column of Iowa license plates at far right. (3/21/03)
This side view is very visible thanks to the empty lot here. On the windmill is a turn sign with the arrow embossed (the metal is raised). UPDATE: All the signs have been stripped from this building and the front windows boarded up. It may only be a matter of time before it joins half of the rest of Marathon's downtown as a vacant lot. UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: The building was torn down before mid-2012. (3/21/03)
SOUTH End: Stop sign/T intersection, IA 10, Buena Vista County
Facing south on 390 (10/20/18 and 3/21/03)
This could be a DOT sign, given the condition. The "1" in the 71 shield is about faded away now.
Facing east on 10 (3/21/03)
How flat are we talking here? Look south-southeast and you can see the Albert City elevator six miles away.
At lower left of the above photo is a sign noting the town is home of the "Marathon to Marathon." The other end is in Storm Lake. (7/23/09)
The Marathon to Marathon ended in 2017 because the original organizers were getting old and there were not enough younger adults to take over. I think the date at the bottom should be turned into the year span of the marathon (1996-2017) instead. The church sign at left has faded noticeably. (10/20/18)
As with IA 352, the number was dead 20 years and then resurrected in the rural numbering system. UPDATE: Replaced in the mid-2000s with a conforming name. (Booo!) (3/21/03)
Facing west on 10 (10/20/18)
Surrounding area information: Railroad Museum
The buildings along the "street" include a post office with the name of Rembrandt, 10 miles away. Why not Marathon, I wonder? (3/21/03)
Facing north on 390 (10/20/18)
To the right you can see the fence for the railroad museum. Just behind is the "Jct 10" seen farther up the page. Ahead is a sharp pair of curves that might be why IA 10 did not go through Marathon; coming south through downtown brings you literally to the Pentecostal church's front door.
Last seen: 1981
Page created 4/1/04; last updated 3/21/19