October 11, 2002: Mile marker 11 on IA 928 near the Highview elevator in Hamilton County shows a countdown to Fort Dodge, even though the Webster County segment was turned over almost right away. On old 20, you can be midway between Highview and Duncombe and see both elevators.
In fall 2002, my photography was mainly from a camera I had for a photojournalism class (this Lincoln Highway set was the final project) and I didn’t have time to get out except for weekends. On Oct. 11, 2002, when North Tama played Northeast Hamilton, I got some evening photos along old US 20 between Fort Dodge and Webster City. However, this date was too early for the starting point I set in 2015 for visiting each town. This year, on my way west to reach the final towns I hadn’t been to, I made sure to stop in Duncombe.
October 3, 2016: The Duncombe post office and one-block business district are shadowed by the elevator.
Duncombe has a big elevator, too, as do many towns along the central part of US 20 and the former Illinois Central Railroad. The original route of US 20 closely followed the IC (later ICG) east of Fort Dodge; today it’s Canadian National track.