Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Aug 12

The names of the BCR&M live on

October 12, 2021: Two intersections in Walker, in northern Linn County. Ely has streets named Dows, Rowley, Traer, and Walker. Walker has streets named Dows, Ely, Greene, Rowley, and Traer. Mount Auburn has a Traer Street. Rowley has a (very short) Ely … Continue reading

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Aug 10

We’re not getting the tram back, are we?

The Iowa State Fair killed off the interior tram last year, said nothing about it coming back, and kept the official website on a “safety protocols” wording that might have passed last year but not now. It’s up to a … Continue reading

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Aug 01

‘Iowa is the most Midwestern state in the union’

If you’ve read the book, or walked/drove around last week (this week not so much), you already know that the Midwest is God’s gift to Planet Earth. But, in a region spanning from the Badlands to Appalachian Ohio, how can … Continue reading

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Jul 25

A RAGBRAI database, with some assistance

June 19, 1977/October 3, 2010: A daily map for RAGBRAI V, photographed from microfilm. The 1977 and 2022 routes share some similarities, including an overnight stop in Ida Grove, a route south of US 18 from Whittemore to New Hampton, … Continue reading

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Jul 06

How much for just the stick?

Prices at the Iowa State Fair are going up. KCCI has a story (not embeddable), including an interview with a major concessionaire who says prices are going up 50 cents to $1. Perhaps the first sign of this was last year, … Continue reading

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Jul 01

Marion celebrates new trail bridge

The city of Marion had a ribbon-cutting this morning (July 1) for a “CeMar Trail Gateway Bridge”. Here’s a press release from the city and story at Corridor Business Journal. The bridge is part of the CeMar Trail. The trail … Continue reading

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Jun 10

Ankeny’s growth makes Alleman nervous

Currently, NE 126th Avenue in Polk County between Elkhart and just north of Polk City is a paved but rural drive, and the I-35 interchange is undeveloped. That could change soon if Ankeny has its way. Ankeny, which just passed … Continue reading

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Jun 06

Rebuilding Cylinder (sort of)

It’s not matchsticks, but still very impressive. From KCAU: Since completing the depot in 2018, Joyce has replicated 19 of the town of Cylinder’s original business buildings. He uses the town’s centennial book as a guide. “Here’s the livery and … Continue reading

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Jun 03

City of Chopped Liver

May 29, 2017: Hint enough for you? “The Midwest,” for $1000, on Monday’s “Jeopardy!”: The name of this second-largest city in Iowa mentions a tree and alludes to a river. There are multiple cities in Iowa that mention a tree … Continue reading

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Apr 18

O’Brien County grant to bring bloggers

July 17, 2020: Paullina has a welcome sign with digital message board on the north end of downtown. O’Brien County, in northwest Iowa, has received a $5,300 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The county plans to use the … Continue reading

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