End of Iowa 173

NORTH End: Stop sign, IA 44 and M66, Kimballton, Audubon County

Facing north on 173 (5/7/06)

Before 1980, 173 was a short spur that happened to cross a county line. Today, 173 and 175 are the only numbers between 166 and 181 that remain active. For approximately two months in 1930, this road was IA 169, changed when the Highway Commission found out that US 169 would be brought through Iowa later in the year.

Facing north on 173 (5/7/06)

Facing west on 44 (5/7/06)

Facing east on 44 (5/7/06)

The mileage sign leaving Kimballton on 44 has Des Moines as its last line, a remnant from when IA 64 was on this route and went through Des Moines.

Two blocks south of 173's north end, near downtown Kimballton, is a Little Mermaid statue that is a reminder of the area's Danish heritage. (5/7/06)

I can't put my finger on it, but something appears to be missing in this picture. (5/7/06)

There she is! (7/24/19)

Kimballton's post office, right across the street from the statue (7/24/19)

Old SOUTH End: Elk Horn, Shelby County

Facing south on 173 (7/24/19)

The official route description from 1942 says the highway ends "155 feet south of the north side of Broadway" in Elk Horn. That's oddly specific, and interesting since it's not an intersection but the alley on Main Street between Broadway and Elm streets.

Facing south on 173 (7/24/19)

The spur endpoint happens to be right at the parking lot of the welcome center, an authentic Danish windmill. But while it might seem like the highway was tailor-made for this, that's not the case. The windmill was not brought to Iowa and reconstructed until 1976!