Nineteenth Century Visionaries

In spite of our all-day drizzle, I'm hoping you've all been having delightful Christmas get-togethers with your loved ones. The unbelievably high temps we've been having, should be setting some records across North Iowa, but after checking the weather outlook for our coming days, it looks like we'll at least be up in the 30's during the day. I'm sure many of you still remember from years ago, how our temps would be the most bitterly-cold during the last week of December and the first week of January, but that's definitely changed.

I stopped by my office this morning to check on a few things, and before heading out, I called my dear friend and had a nice chat. I was happy to hear her Christmas Eve gathering went exceptionally well. After getting a good night's sleep from yesterday's excitement, I was rearing to go again today.

After my mother's passing which was over seven years ago, I found it no longer necessary to have any sort of holiday gatherings, and since there's only a 'reli' or two of mine who live out of State whom I'm regularly in contact with, it was all the more reason for me to close the door on being a part of either hosting or attending such events, which has been perfectly fine by me.

Well, in the place of all that mindless fuss, I started taking long road trips on various holidays, which would always provide me a good lifting-up, so instead of heading in a westerly direction today as I'd planned, I set my sights on doing a full circling of Northeast Iowa, and in spite of the rain, I definitely had a memorable day of it.

I left town around nine this morning, and returned from my trip close to the hour of four, and when looking at the miles I'd driven, it was close to three hundred round-trip, and after counting the towns, there ended up being fourteen I either drove thru without stopping, and others I'd lingered awhile, just to take in some sights and get some photos taken. When I counted the counties I'd been in, there nine which included Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Chickasaw and Floyd.

Every time I drive thru Osage, I find that I'd nearly forgotten how charming that town is, and believe me, they're very keen on keeping it looking its best. I love their wide main street. Riceville has always kept me wondering how a community would plat their town smack-dab on the Mitchell-Howard county line. Yes, while standing on one side of their main street, you'd find yourself in Mitchell County, and if you cross the street, you're in Howard. Isn't that crazy? Cresco is another Howard County gem which has always seemed to take care of itself, and likely because they're far enough away from competing towns.

I spent the most time in Decorah, and only because I simply can't get enough of their exceptionally well-cared for historic district. The above photo is one I took of Hotel Winneshiek which is truly a gem, and will be sharing some additional photos of Decorah in the coming days. I dare say, Quick Star is definitely all over Eastern Iowa, and it looks like they're doing everything they can to take business away from Casey's.

While heading east, I almost took the turn to drive in the downtown of Waukon, but I've been there before, and really not much taken by it, so I kept driving until I arrived in Marquette. Oh my goodness! Those winding roads and steep grades had my hands glued to the steering wheel. There's no doubt, anyone who spent their lives in the flatlands, would have a crude awakening the first time they'd be driving those highways and roads during inclement weather, but having been out there before, I was fully prepared for the shock.

If the weather wasn't so bad, I would've driven up to the look-out point near the Effigy Mounds, but didn't want to be tromping around in the rain, but I did get a really good 'feel' of McGregor which is yet another one of Northeast Iowa's most charming towns. I took several photos of their main street which reminded me of something I'd seen in Europe. Of course I did take a few photos of the Mississippi while there, along with the near vertical and very tall limestone bluff directly behind those buildings. Those townspeople must've grown accustomed to being so close to those stone out-croppings.

On my way back from the river, I stopped in Postville and did a little shopping in their Jewish market, along with getting another good look at how that town has evolved since I was there a number of years ago before I headed on towards Clermont.

Clermont definitely has some very charming brick structures, and since that's where Montauk Estate is located which is where Iowa's 12th Governor's family lived from 1874 to 1965, I was planning to take a tour, yet unfortunately they were closed for the season, but not to worry because I've already toured its mansion and grounds which is definitely another 'must see' in Iowa.

While I was in West Union, I took several photos of historic brick buildings I found captivating, and you can be sure I was also very impressed with their blocks of cobblestone streets and stately courthouse. Yes, I'm sure during our summer months, that town would be worthy of a walking tour.

While driving my final stretch home, I began thinking about those many nineteenth century visionaries who created those beautiful homes and buildings, along with those following, who were keen on taking extra special care of their historic gems.

Tonight's One-liner is: Of all possessions, a friend is the most precious.

original post ... https://niowarealty.net/life/2023/12/25/nineteenth-century-visionaries/