Author Archives: Jeff

Apr 05

Last ride on the first escalator

Posted on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

April 1, 2018: Through the window on the first floor of Sears at Waterloo’s Crossroads Mall. The new Sears Roebuck Department Store, twice as big as the old and sparkling with the innovations of a “more modern and fashionable” head … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Last ride on the first escalator
Apr 04

50th anniversary of MLK’s assassination

Posted on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

December 29, 2001: A wreath marks the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot in Memphis. The building of the Lorraine Motel was incorporated into the National Civil Rights Museum. Our trip to the 2001 Independence Bowl, like so … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 50th anniversary of MLK’s assassination
Apr 03

D is for Dumont

Posted on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 7, 2015: The closed Hampton-Dumont Intermediate School in Dumont. The lighter-colored concrete portion with the school name is where the connection to the original school building was; that part was demolished in the 2005-06 school year. The passage of … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on D is for Dumont
Apr 02

Could the state drop IA 922?

Posted on Monday, April 2, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

May 18, 2017: From the interchange at the south end of IA 922/Business 151. These shields have been replaced with the new wide style and small arrows. The Business 151 page has a bunch of new photos BTW. The Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Could the state drop IA 922?
Mar 30

Square 218 shields a threatened species

Posted on Friday, March 30, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 15, 2007: Despite the difference in digits, these shields are the same size around. The east end of IA 8 is one of the few places left in Iowa where you see square US 218 shields as you drive … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Square 218 shields a threatened species
Mar 29

Return of the Demon Sheep

Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s probably not news that footage used in campaign ads will be reused and recycled over the course of multiple elections. But there’s one now that takes the reuse to a new level because the original content is somewhat notorious. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Return of the Demon Sheep
Mar 28

Benton County closing front door to courthouse, installing metal detector

Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 23, 2015: When RAGBRAI had a noon stop in Vinton, the south-side front door of the courthouse was open. A procedure once reserved for only the biggest county courthouses in Iowa is trickling down to at least one more. … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Benton County closing front door to courthouse, installing metal detector
Mar 27

Analysis of 2018 RAGBRAI map

Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 23, 2008: RAGBRAI passed through the center of Iowa (well, close enough) in 2008 and will again this year. The Register’s preview appears to be trying to tell me something. If you can locate Ute, Aspinwall, Dana, Peoria and … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Maps | Comments Off on Analysis of 2018 RAGBRAI map
Mar 26

New-look license plates coming out

Posted on Monday, March 26, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A revised design for Iowa’s license plates is being phased in next month, the Des Moines Register reported last week. (I honestly forgot this was happening.) Eight counties running low on inventory will get them first. A photo with the story shows … Continue reading →

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on New-look license plates coming out
Mar 23

Traer Star-Clipper office closing

Posted on Friday, March 23, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

March 16, 2018/June 27, 1930: “The Traer Star-Clipper is still ‘the best weekly newspaper in the United States,’ according to the judges of the annual contest conducted by the National Editorial association for the promotion of better weekly newspapers…” Traer … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Traer Star-Clipper office closing