Shooting the Grinnell College Carnegie Library

This stately building was a Carnegie library but, in an unusual twist, it was built for Grinnell College. It's located along the western edge of the central portion of the school and truly is a handsome building. A new library has been built but the building continues to serve the school by housing offices.

Stopping by a new Winter Event

Des Moines isn't known as a big winter sports city but there are some pretty die hard participants who set up a little showcase to show us what they can do. Linda and I had seen a promotional blurb somewhere that there would be snowboarders at Nolen Plaza saturday night and figured it could be interesting to stop by. When we arrived, there were a lot of people around the plaza. A few light towers and a live band hammering out some high energy tunes energized the space. We got out and got in close to see that, yes, people were taking pretty abbreviated yet perilous runs across the plaza.

To get enough speed for the tricks on one run, they'd built a hill well over head high. This appeared to work pretty well. On another run, they'd set up some sort of high speed winch with a tow bar they could hang onto for a few seconds to launch them down the course. Truly, both were surprisingly effective.

The crowd was good, the tricks were entertaining, and the band was loud. What more could you ask for? I wouldn't be surprised to see them try this again next winter! I'd stop by again.

Watching Drake host UNI

As is becoming our custom, Linda and I attended another Drake - UNI sporting event. This time, the Drake men's basketball team was hosting and looking to continue to extend a startling streak of sixteen consecutive wins. This year's team is having something of a fairy tale season and interest around the city is picking up. Couple that with the in-state rivalry and the tickets that were once pretty easy to pick up have become harder to secure. Fortunately, we got ours and were on site for what was another very entertaining, well played game.

The visiting Panthers led by four with 5:32 left in the game; unfortunately, they didn't make another basket. Drake scored nine while UNI made one free throw giving a final score of 58-54... and the streak continues!

Learning a new term: Boston Marriage

Linda and I returned to the Viking Theatre to see David Mamet's play, Boston Marriage. The talented folks at Theater... for a change again put on a quality production at Grandview's Viking Theater. Unbeknown to us, the title of the production has, for over one hundred years, been used to describe a romantic friendship shared by two women. As such, the play presents events that take place over a day or two in the life of two women in such an arrangement and their maid. The crux of the story has to do with relationships they each have outside the home and how, when those relationships collide, it could threaten the stability of the home. It was an interesting and entertaining play; I'm sure we'll be back.

Visiting the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

As Linda and I passed the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, one of us commented that, if the sun were out, we might get a nice photo of the herd of bison. The next day the sky was clear but would only remain clear until around noon. If I hurried, I could get to the refuge before the clouds rolled in. If some of the bison were close enough, I thought I might be able to get a decent shot or two.

As I approached the entrance to the bison area, I could already see several lying on the ground. I paused to get a few shots like this one. A successful trip, worth the drive time.

Shooting the Pella Carnegie Library

This former library has moved on to a new career serving the citizens of Pella by housing many of the city documents. Located on the town square, it was easy to find and, happily, well maintained.

Shooting the Oskaloosa Carnegie Library

While in Oskaloosa, Linda and I swung by their recently expanded library. This portion appears to be the old main entrance. After the expansion that appears to have more than doubled the size, the main entrance is located more centrally down the left side of this photo. The expansion, active parking lot, and steady stream of people in and out of that entrance confirm that this investment in the community continues to pay dividends.

Shooting the Mahaska County Courthouse

Oskaloosa is the county seat of Mahaska County and this is their courthouse. Located on the edge of a very handsome block square park, this impressive building has a place of prominence in the community.

Oskaloosa is home to Musco Lighting, provider of lighting for major sports events around the world.

Shooting the Wapello County Courthouse

Ottumwa is the county seat for Wapello County and this is their courthouse. Located up the hill just north of the library, this is an impressive building. It's also the first I've seen with a native american at the peak.

From the Wapello County website:

Wapello County is named in honor of Fox Indian Chief “Wau-ba-law,” “Waupello,” or “Wa-pel-lo.” Chief Wapello was the second-in-command over the combined Sac and Fox Indians.

Rough cut sandstone was used for the five-story building. A large corner clock tower was part of the original design. In 1950 the clock tower and several chimneys were removed. About 450 tons of bricks were removed to help alleviate stress on the building. At the apex of the building stands an Indian statue representing Chief Wapello.

Shooting the Ottumwa Carnegie Library

Located in the municipal district of Ottumwa, the Carnegie Library is a handsome building. As we were there, a couple of people stopped in so it's clearly a factor in the community.

Trying Ottumwa's Canteen Lunch in the Alley

This little joint has it going on. Location, location, location seems to go out the window for these folks. The front door is on an alley downtown and a parking ramp has been built over and around them but they're still there.

Linda and I stepped inside and found the classic horseshoe shaped counter with over a dozen stools... nearly all filled! One of the three women running the joint pointed out a couple seats along the side and asked what we wanted on "it." Interesting to go somewhere that they know what you're there for. "It" is their truly tasty loose meat sandwich.

Practically by the time we'd settled on our stools, they were handing us our food. These three have it down. They cut the buns, slather the requested condiments, scoop up the meat, and do the fast food origami that holds it all together so smoothly that it was mesmerizing.

As I was about to finish my sandwich, the bun cutter asked if I'd like another; with marketing and product like that, I said "Sure!" and it was on the way.

The decor is not where they spend their money. I'm guessing many of the items were in place before the youngest of those working was born; it's just part of the experience. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Before we'd finished, the customers had completely turned over so there were plenty of watch. This place is a fixture and, in my opinion, well worth the stop.

Shooting the Bloomfield Carnegie Library

When Linda and I saw this building, we had to look again to see past the gingerbread look and recognize it was the library. We walked up to see if it was open; it was not. The community did a very nice job of making sure that the library was available to those unable to take the stairs. I'm guessing that some of the visitors, young or young at heart, choose to take the spin up the ramp from time to time as well.

Shooting the Davis County Courthouse

Bloomfield is the county seat of Davis County and this is their courthouse. Listed on the Register's list of 100 Places In Iowa, Linda and I had two reasons to visit this site. The design is interesting and different for Iowa; more European than most we've seen thus far.

The courthouse proved tempting but a bit too challenging to Henry D. Roland, the Human Fly, in 1924. On August 27, he tried to scale the building but fell, breaking his hip... and keeping him in town an added six weeks. Eight years later, he returned and successfully climbed the building.

The Wikipedia article on Bloomfield lists a surprising number of notable figures to have come out of the community: an olympic kayak athlete, an acadamy award winner, two U.S. Senators, seven U.S. Representatives, two Major Generals, an Assistant Secretary of the Interior, two Governors of the state of Iowa, editors of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, major league baseball players, and the founder of Sheafer pens. Must be somthing in the water.

Shooting the Centerville Public Library

Before leaving Centerville, Linda and I looked for their library. We knew that it wasn't a Carnegie funded library so we were curious what they had instead. We pulled up in front and were pleased to see the nice looking building in the image to the right. We were also surprised to see it called the Drake Public Library. Our curiosity piqued, we decided we had to step inside. When we did, we found even more surprises.

Above the library desk when you enter the library is a large circular opening through the floor of the second level allowing visibility of the stained glass dome above and pictured to the right. That was a surprise!

We talked with the librarian and learned that Francis M. Drake, former resident of Centerville, founder of Drake University, and former Governor of the state, had funded this library.

Shooting the Appanoose County Courthouse

Centerville is the county seat of Appanoose County and this is their courthouse. Located in the center of an uncommonly large square, this is a handsome courthouse in an impressive setting. Unlike most communities, Centerville centered their courthouse on an intersection. This positioning means that, as you approach, you see the bulk of the courthouse from several blocks away. The streets that surround the courthouse square are unusually wide. There are the normal lanes in each direction, angle parking on the outside, and a set of angle parking spaces going each direction between the two lanes of traffic flow. It's like stringing a parking lot around the square; probably nice for downtown visitors.

Shaking my head

As Linda and I were cruising south along Iowa State Highway 5, a few miles north of Centerville, we saw this church. Linda said I really should go back and get a photo for the blog so here it is: the Dale Church. I have no idea why it's the Dale church; I've not seen any community named Dale in the area. Hmmm...

If anyone wants to find it using GPS, I think it's around 40°46'8.40"N, 92°51'27.39"W.

Shooting the Albia Carnegie Library

This good looking structure is the library in Albia. Linda and I did our usual search one block outside the town square and found it to the east of the courthouse. The awning, decoration on the handrails, and sculpture along the right side of the broad walk to the doors tells me that this community continues to collect dividends on the investment of their community library.

Shooting the Monroe County Courthouse

Albia is the county seat of Monroe County and this is their courthouse. Located in the town square and along the main north-south highway through town, this courthouse was fairly easy to find. Linda and I took a walk around the square to check out various shooting angles; as we did, we noticed a series of plaques on selected buildings laying out a nice little walking tour with some of the community history. It gave us a little more information about the development of the community.

Trying to check off Camp David's

The Register's List of 100 Things You Must Eat listed the barbeque chicken at Camp David's in Iowa City. According to their signboard, they were supposed to be open; according to the hand written note taped to the door, they were going to be closed this evening. Another near miss I guess. Fortunately, we've already got plans to go back in warmer weather so we may try it then.

Shooting the Iowa Falls Carnegie Library

Okay, it's not my best shot. On our way back to Des Moines, we routed through Iowa Falls, in part to see their library. Of course, winter in Iowa makes for short days. Add to that the fact that Iowa Falls doesn't do much to illuminate their library after dark; I know, the picture looks well lit but let me assure you, it was not. Luckily, there was a nearly level flat-topped post across the street that I set the camera on to get the shot you see.

The library did appear to be well cared for and, I believe, is the first library I've seen with an eagle on top. It's located a few blocks north of the river, not far off the main north south road through town.

Updated photo.