(July 1, 1920-January 1, 1980)

IA 43 endpoint history
FROM TO NORTH SOUTH
7/1/20 1/8/31
 Minnesota state line IA 9 (6th Ave at 6th St, Armstrong)
1/8/31
 5/22/34
 Ringsted
5/22/34
 1/1/80
 IA 15 east of Ringsted

NORTH End: Minnesota state line, now IA 15 at line, Emmet County IA/Martin County MN

Facing north (8/17/19)

The gravel expanse on the west side of present Highway 15 as it crosses the state line was the road until the 1960s. Thus, this is closer to the actual 1920 endpoint of IA 43.

Facing west (9/16/07)

The pole and path on the left side of this building indicates the approximate location of the state line. The building is built as far south in Minnesota as you can get; the open area on the left is Iowa. A closeup of the text on the sign can be seen here.

Facing north on 44, now IA 15 (9/16/07)

This is today's equivalent of the north end, moved east a couple hundred feet.

SOUTH End (1920-31): IA 9, now 6th Ave. at 6th St., Armstrong, Emmet County

Facing west on 15, but heading south on 43 (8/17/19)

Originally, IA 9 came due east from Estherville and then turned south to go through Armstrong's business district. The Armstrong school, presently North Union High School, is just a bit south of here.

NOT a SOUTH End: Present IA 9, Armstrong, Emmet County

Six months before IA 9 was paved in Emmet County, IA 43 was extended south from Armstrong to Ringsted. That means that today's intersection of IA 9 and IA 15, which is also the east end of Iowa's second-shortest multiplex, would not have been an end. But why not show the pictures anyway?

Facing west on 9 (8/17/19)

Take bootleggers at Armstrong paving jubilee Wednesday
Some preparation seems to have been made by the officers to take care of the bootleggers who were to work the celebration of the opening of the paving at Armstrong. On a tip, County Attorney Johnston got two state men in here and took Deputy Twito and Justice of the Peace Galloway. They landed in Armstrong about the proper time to see things in operation. Several were arrested for drunkenness and were the next morning taken before the mayor at Armstrong.
"Blackie" Simmons was landed in the net for the second time. He has already a charge of liquor in possession against him. Some near beer and something to spike it with was taken from his car. He will appear before the district court in session in September.
— Estherville Enterprise, August 19, 1931

Closeup from above picture (8/17/19)

The white vehicle at left is on northbound 15 at the west end of the duplex. You can see that in this direction, there isn't even time for a "West 9 North 15" sign before 15's turn is marked.

These have to be tourist cabins from the 1930s. Some of them have slightly different features. (8/17/19)

After not being through Armstrong in years, I hit it twice in 11 months, and saw that the cabins had been spruced up. (7/16/20)

Facing east on 9 (8/17/19)

The red pickup is passing by the east junction. Compare style (and kerning) to the LGS in the other direction three photos up.

EAST End (1934-80): Four-way stop, IA 15 and P12, Emmet County

Facing east on 44 (8/17/19)

Facing east on 44 (8/17/19)

WEST End (1934-80): Ringsted, Emmet County

Facing southwest on 43 (8/17/19)

The northern tier of Iowa counties is heavy with Scandinavian heritage. In Ringsted's case, it's Denmark. Ringsted also has Iowa's SECOND Little Mermaid replica statue, in the city park, much smaller than Kimballton's version.

Literally the only person I saw in Ringsted that summer day was someone who had graduated from Armstrong-Ringsted and was coming back to check out the town. The town banners say "Ringsted 1899" arranged to echo the Danish flag. (8/17/19)

Mural on building bordering park (8/17/19)

The map star is further south than it should be, but just LOOK at the scope here. And this is only part of it.

Page created 3/19/20; last updated 9/7/20

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