Author Archives: Jeff

Mar 31

When pants are outlawed, only outlaws will wear pants

Outlying areas of Appanoose County, including the towns of Cincinnati, Exline, Mystic, Numa, and Rathbun, were involuntarily attached to the Centerville school district in the summer of 1966 as the modern district era in Iowa began. Not only did the … Continue reading

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Mar 29

But what does Metropolis-style pizza look like?

My previous complaint about “Superman & Lois” had to do with my inability to suspend disbelief when Smallville’s football team played Metropolis in a day game that required an overnight hotel stay. Now, the show has established Smallville is within … Continue reading

Posted in Maps | Comments Off on But what does Metropolis-style pizza look like?
Mar 27

Marion Crandell, 1872-1918

June 19, 2021: This marker for Marion Crandell is near the Government Bridge at Davenport. According to a 2001 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, this marker, restored that year, was “the first in a series of markers identifying a coast-to-coast Gold … Continue reading

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Mar 24

Mount Vernon Road cemetery wall taken down

A historic rock wall with Oak Park Cemetery at the corner of Mount Vernon Road SE and 15th Street SE in eastern Cedar Rapids has been removed. KCRG has a story and video. The “Mount Vernon cutoff” east of Memorial … Continue reading

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Mar 22

A is for Ayrshire

This is the 20th anniversary of my first multi-day trip to photograph Iowa highway signs. I spent the first half of spring break cooped up to pump out an important class paper, then set out amid gray skies and brown … Continue reading

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Mar 20

RAGBRAI L: Count-up to 50

In a change from January, the RAGBRAI L route announced March 13 does not have a total of 50 communities. A RAGBRAI staffer posted online on March 15 that road construction and bridge issues have affected plans, and that the century … Continue reading

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Mar 17

Sioux City to tear down Crescent Park school

Sioux City’s Crescent Park Elementary School, which from a certain point of view closed twice, will be demolished by the end of the year, the Sioux City Journal reported last month. A final public walkthrough of the building was held … Continue reading

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Mar 15

How, and how not, to predict a basketball season

Here is a “best practices” guide for preparing for a casual interview with a coach about an upcoming basketball season. OMG I can’t watch: “Coach, tell me about this year’s team.” Shooting for .500: “Coach, what are you looking forward to … Continue reading

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Mar 13

B is for Beaver

April 17, 2016: “Tuesday last the contract was let for the new school house in Beaver. D.C. Ferrell of Omaha got the contract for $40,740.00, M.J. Madison got the contract for plumbing for $700.” — Grand Junction Globe, February 26, … Continue reading

Posted in Schools, Sequences | Comments Off on B is for Beaver
Mar 10

North Tama bond issue fails by six votes

Based on my research, the core school building in Traer is likely among the 50 oldest in use in Iowa. Following Tuesday’s failed bond referendum, it’s going to be that way for a while longer. A $14.25 million bond issue … Continue reading

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