Byway Buzz Blog - Prairie Rivers of Iowa

America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway

by Jeanie Hau | Jun 30, 2026

The Lincoln Highway Bridge is our First Stop on the America 250 Stops in 250 days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway!

The Lincoln Highway Bridge was built in 1915 by architect Paul N. Kingsley, from a slab bridge design by the Iowa Highway Commission. Instead of balusters, the decorative railing spells out the words “LINCOLN HIGHWAY.” It was paid for by local boosters as a means of advertising the newly designated Lincoln Highway and Tama’s location on the route. This bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in March of 1978.

Today, Lincoln Highway bridge supporters are waiting for the Tama City Council to have an inspection done so that grants can be applied for to create a pedestrian bridge. The fate of the bridge lies in the city council’s hands. Here is to hoping that the new year will bring new hope and new action!

See you on the byway!

Stop #2 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is Preston’s Station Historic District in Belle Plaine, IA. Preston’s is getting very close to making new progress on the station–visit their site for more information!!!

What Stop are they on the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway Audio Tour & App? https://seeyouonthebyway.stqry.app

See you on the byway!

Stop # 3 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway in Iowa is the Reed-Niland Corner. This is one of the very last original “one-stops” left on any historic Highway. The Colo Motel and Niland’s Cafe are both still open for business, and the Reed Station is a Museum. The Corner is at the intersection of America and the north-south transcontinental route, the Jefferson Highway, which is also an Iowa Historic Byway!

See you on the byway! And don’t forget the pie!

Stop #4 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is the Mahanay Bell Tower in Jefferson, IA. The Mahanay Bell Tower was built in 1966, 19 years after Floyd Mahanay passed away. Floyd left plans and money to build the tower and even the quote to place on a plaque. The Tower was located on the SW corner of the Courthouse grounds, directly on the Lincoln Highway curb (old Hwy 30 by then). Today, when you take the elevator to the Observation Deck, 120′ above the highway, you can see rooftop murals and, of course, the Lincoln Highway for miles!

See you on the byway!

Stop #5 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is the lookout at the Harrison County, Iowa Welcome Center. The welcome center is all the things! It is a museum, a gift shop, a welcome center, an interpretive center for the Lincoln Highway and the Loess Hills, a Freedom Rock stop, and a hiking route through the prairie to a lookout! And don’t forget about the Thursday Farmer’s Market in the summer!

See you on the byway!

Stop #6 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is the Moss Markers in Greene County, IA. A unique monument to Abraham Lincoln and twins! We will stop by later to take a look at the interpretive sign, and we will visit the Lincoln Highway Museum, where one of the original busts is!

See you on the byway @ Stop #6!

Stop #7 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is the Lincoln Hotel in Lowden, IA. On the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel now boasts 4 “boutique-style” suites. This Hotel is a special place to stay with plenty of activities within a few hours’ distance. We will be back to visit the Hoover Highway at this intersection later in our tour. Stop #7, Lincoln Hotel Lowden Iowa

See you on the byway!

Stop #8 is in Vail, IA at the Standard Station. Restored by Mark Crampton in 2015, this station was run by two generations of the Roy Abbott family from an estimated 1929 to the 1960s.

See you on the byway!

Stop #9 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is a personal favorite. There is something about a Marsh Rainbow Bridge. Built in 1919, this bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.

See you on the byway!

Stop #10 on America 250 Stops in 250 Days along the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is the Youngville Cafe at the intersection of the Lincoln Highway (Hwy 30 at this point) and Hwy 218.

Youngville is a Tudor Revival building constructed in 1931 by Joe Young for his daughter, Lizzie Wheeler. The one-stop roadside business included a cafe, Skelly gas, residential space for the owners, and three cabins, and did business until 1967. The Youngville Highway History Association restored the building in the late 1990s and, run by volunteers, is open on Tuesdays in the summer. And the line for pie gets long!

See you on the byway!

See you on the byway!

It’s All in the Numbers…

by Jeanie Hau | Jun 30, 2026

Niland’s Café 100

Colo 150

America 250

Lincoln Hwy 30

Jefferson Hwy 64

Speed Limit 55

On June 14, 2026 the Jefferson and Lincoln Highway Heritage Byways hosted, “A Celebration of the Reed-Niland Corner.” What started out as a 100 Year Anniversary Celebration for Niland’s Café turned into an event to remember.

It doesn’t matter what your political affiliations are, there is no denying the connection between the Lincoln Highway and the Lincoln Memorial so when an opportunity to bring a National Project to our little Corner presented itself (ok, I dug around on the internet a bit to find a FREE opportunity for America 250), we jumped in full throttle!

Portrait of Hope: Shining down on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool- is a live-painting collaboration involving locations in all 50 states. Our Corner was chosen to represent Iowa for the historic gas station, agricultural fields, and mix of veterans, children, and rural Iowans. So we welcomed them, we painted panels, and the they took photos and videos of our event representing the best of Iowa. Those who attended will be able to see their painted panel lit up as a lantern on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC this October and in a documentary next spring. I told Ed Massey, who founded the non-profit organization in 1995 with his brother Bernie, that this was a full-circle moment for the Lincoln Highway. In 1913, when Henry Joy chose to name the coast-to-coast rock highway after Lincoln, he was hoping to get some of the money that was meant for the Washington DC Memorial. He loved the story and he loved representing Iowa with our corner.

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We had several special guests attend our event. President Abraham Lincoln (Marty Chitty) and President Thomas Jefferson (Tom Richards) led us in singing the Star-Spangled Banner as the Colo American Legion presented the colors on this Flag Day. Judy Niland was able to attend, as were Sandi and Mike Kelley.

The Story County Supervisors, Linda Murken, Latifah Faisal, and Lisa Heddens, presented the Reed-Niland Corner non-profit with a $30,000 check to go towards maintenance repairs for the Corner. Supervisor Murken mentioned how special it was that the Board supported this project in the early 2000’s and again today.

Jefferson Highway Association Board Member from Plattsburg, Missouri, Terry Wood, was present to present a check for $1,000 to the Reed-Niland Corner.

Silly Sally, Colo native and 12-time State Fiddle Champion David Bellegante, with accompanist Bill Sturtz, and the Lincoln Highway Band were our performers for the day.

Several Iowa Lincoln Highway Association Members and Colo families joined us, and the bravest volunteers—Story County Treasurer Ted Rasmussen and Colo Mayor Jeff Brinkman—took their turns in the chilly dunk tank.

On behalf of the Jefferson and Lincoln Highway Heritage Byways (Jan and I), Niland’s Corner, and the Reed-Niland Corner non-profit, we would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported the Corner; past, present, and future.

Pie Eating Contest at A Celebration of the Reed-Niland Corner

We are all caretakers of a rare gem at the intersection of America’s first two transcontinental roadways, and we couldn’t do it without you.

See you on the byway!

Jeanie

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Dambo Trolls Arrive in Clinton

by Jeanie Hau | May 4, 2026

Luck was on my side on my recent visit to Clinton. I was in town to see the plans for expanding the Buelle Terrace and Sawmill Museum area, when I was able to get a sneak peek of the Dambo Trolls.

Danish artist Thomas Dambo spent the last several weeks leading his team and a team of volunteers in Clinton (and in Elkhorn) in assembling the three commissioned trolls. The Clinton Trolls project was led by the Sawmill Museum in partnership with the Bickelhaupt Arboretum and the City of Clinton. The three large-scale trolls, which are named Helmut, Marvin, and Warren, went up so smoothly that the artist decided to construct a fourth troll in Eagle Point Park.

The team asked me not to share any in‑progress photos to preserve the mystery, but I was able to capture one of the completed trolls snoozing peacefully in the arboretum.

The heads of the three trolls were created in Denmark and shipped over, whereas, the rest of the artwork was assembled on site with a team of artists from Denmark and over 1,000 volunteers who signed up to help. Each troll is made of sustainable, recycled wood, most from the old sawmill. The “dresses” were created from the historic Eagle Point Lodge hardwood floors which needed to be stripped before the artist teams arrived. The lodge was a WPA project.

While many of Dambo’s trolls are tucked away in remote natural settings, the Clinton trolls are intentionally placed in an urban landscape rooted in the lumber industry. As Andy Green, executive director of the Sawmill Museum, told QC News, Local 4, “We see all of the trolls as a way to tell the sawmill history of Clinton and our lumber history,” said Andy Green, executive director for the museum. “The fact that the trolls are actually made out of the lumber that would’ve been cut at (that) period just adds onto that as well.”

In an interview with WQAD-channel 8, an ABC affiliate, Dambo explained the philosophy behind his work: “I’m trying to build a world where we can see that old things have a value, that old things have a soul. That is most of the time much more powerful and important for us to connect with than buying new things.”

The three trolls can be found at the Sawmill Museum, the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, and inside the Clinton Depot across from the US Post Office, and Eagle Point Park.

See you on the byway….who knows where I will be next?

Prairie Rivers of Iowa receives grants for Lincoln Highway Kiosk

by Jeanie Hau | May 4, 2026

Logan holds a unique distinction in Iowa as the only community where three of the state’s fourteen scenic byways meet, offering travelers an exceptional blend of history, scenery, and small‑town charm.

The three Iowa Byways that converge in Logan are the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, the Western Skies Scenic Byway, and the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway-A National Scenic Byway.

A kiosk project designed to connect visitors with the area’s landscapes, history, and local points of interest is moving forward through a partnership between Golden Hills RC&D, Prairie Rivers of Iowa, and the Iowa DOT’s Iowa Byways program. Every byway has an Interpretive Master Plan, which guides the coordinators in ways to tell the stories that make a byway unique. One recommended tool is an 8‑foot, two‑sided outdoor interpretive kiosk. Creating a coordinated three‑kiosk installation is the ideal choice for the city of Logan.

With Prairie Rivers of Iowa securing funding for the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway portion of the trifecta, the project is set to become a reality this fall. The kiosks will be installed in the City Park, where they will be visible from the road and easily accessible to visitors, encouraging them to stop, park, and engage with the interpretive content.

Last fall, the Dean J. King Family Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to support the kiosk. In April, Prairie Rivers learned that the Iowa West Foundation will contribute up to $3,000, and the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa will provide an additional $3,500.

Prairie Rivers looks forward to evaluating how this new signage enhances tourism in Harrison County and its surrounding communities. *Grant Spotlight image courtesy of Iowa West Foundation.

A New Era Begins at the Reed-Niland Corner: Community, Preservation, and a June 14 Celebration

by Jeanie Hau | Apr 7, 2026

Tuesday morning arrived with a message that many in Colo have been waiting for, especially the board members of the Reed-Niland Corner, Inc. “Well, we are officially owners of the Reed‑Niland Corner as of yesterday! (Do we break out the champagne yet?),” wrote President Brenda McGuire. [ I will bring the Lincoln Highway wine, Brenda!] After a year of planning, meetings, and community collaboration, the historic corner officially has a new future.

A Journey Rooted in Community History

My story of this preservation effort stretches back to 2023, when I wrote my first article for this newsletter, and it was on the 100^th Anniversary of the Reed-Niland Corner. In 2024, I was contacted by Brenda, a member of the Colo Historical Association, to film an oral history video with past Reed Station employees.

When I received a call from Brenda on Feb 4, 2025, it didn’t seem unusual. However, that was a phone call that I will always remember. It happened to be my birthday, and I had a full schedule, but Brenda caught me when I was on the road. She was in a bit of a panic and revealed that the Colo City Council had discussed the possibility of selling the Reed‑Niland Corner due to insurance costs. We were extremely concerned that someone who didn’t value the history could end up with the corner and tear it down.

Early days of Reed's Standard Service Station - Colo Historical Association Photo

Seeking guidance, I turned to Ann Opatz, of the Pleasant Grove Heritage Park, Inc, a non-profit formed due to a similar situation along the Lincoln Highway in Lisbon, IA. The Meyers Farm Historic District is a National Register listed property that suffered structural damage after the 2020 derecho.

The fence post, water trough, and 3 historic barns are significant to the historic property.

The City of Lisbon (the owner) was informed by their insurance company that they needed to demolish the buildings in order to be insured. Ann was a member of the Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission at the time and she worked to establish the non-profit who took over ownership of the property which proved to be a model for what could be possible in Colo.

Mobilizing a Community

A public meeting soon followed, filling the community room with city officials, former employees, longtime customers, and residents who shared heartfelt memories of the corner. Tears were shed from both sides of the discussion. Representatives from the Iowa Lincoln Highway Association and the Jefferson Highway Association also attended to explain the importance of the Corner to the story of automobile and roadway development in America.

Gravel_Road_Antique_Car_PhotobyMichaelKelly-22

With guidance from preservation specialist Shellie Orngard, the group aligned around a plan to pursue National Register of Historic Places status and establish a local preservation commission. The group also agreed to explore nonprofit ownership.

The Colo Historical Association (who had been running the Reed Station Museum) supported the effort but recognized that managing a café, motel, museum, and apartments was beyond its mission. They were currently outgrowing the station and looking for an alternative space. That clarity helped pave the way for a new organization dedicated solely to the Reed‑Niland Corner experience and for the Colo Historical Association to take the plunge to build an extension to the community room for their new larger Colo Museum.

Reed‑Niland Corner, Inc.

After several meetings, it was clear that establishing a separate nonprofit was going to be necessary. The first meeting was set for April 10^th. The founding members of the nonprofit were: Brenda McGuire, Kathy Mens, Sue McKinney, Paula Cady, Leeann Beavers, Michael Keul, Deborah McIntosh, Ryan McKinney, Danielle O’Rourke, Russ O’Rourke, Jan Gammon, Jeanie Hau, and Shellie Orngard.

The nonprofit took shape with a mission dedicated to preserve, maintain, and promote the visitor experience of the historic Reed-Niland Corner and the continued operation of the cafe, motel, museum, and apartment buildings. Nearly every month someone new would want to join the board. The board now includes experts in history, restoration, insurance, finance, grant writing, and maintenance, along with representatives from the Lincoln Highway Association, Jefferson Highway Association, and Colo Historical Association.

Recent Accomplishments/Media Attention

WHO and Gabe On the Go on channel 13
A Jefferson Highway Association monthly podcast show: “Visit the Historic Reed-Niland Corner in Colo, IA” on Big Blend Radio.
A $5,000 grant was secured from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to pursue National Register status.
The Business Insider documentary on the Reed‑Niland Corner (and the world’s biggest truck stop) surpassed 3.8 million views.
Additional grants were submitted for neon sign restoration, door repairs, and other needs.
Donations covered the first year of insurance

On April 6, 2026, less than a year since the first meeting to form the nonprofit was held, the Reed-Niland Corner, Inc. became the owners of the Reed-Niland Corner.

Mayor Jeff Brinkman shared his appreciation in writing, “Thanks to the Reed-Niland group for taking over this historic corner. The group of volunteers will do a fabulous job maintaining such an important part of Colo’s history. Thanks for working with the City for the past year and I wish you the best of luck in your mission!” Sincerely, J. S. B. Mayor

The Colo City Clerk, Amy Kohlwes, unofficially did a little dance, and Reed-Niland Corner Inc President, Brenda McGuire, took in a deep breath.

Reed-Niland Corner Board Member, Janell Komodromou, says that she is “excited to make a difference in the area of maintenance needs!”

A Celebration of the Reed-Niland Corner, Sunday, June 14th

To celebrate this new era of the corner and several major anniversaries, the Reed-Niland Corner Inc. along with the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway and the Jefferson Highway Heritage Byway are throwing a full-day celebration!

The event marks:

Niland’s Café’s 100+ years
Colo’s 150th anniversary, settlement of New Albany 170^th anniversary
- The Colo Historical Association will have an event on Sunday, April 26^th at their new location!
America’s 250th anniversary
The meeting of the Lincoln and Jefferson Highways 100+ years anniversary
The beginning of Reed‑Niland Corner, Inc.’s stewardship

A jam-packed day is planned for all. A national event will be present. A kids’ show from Silly Sally will start the day, followed by a pie-eating contest for all ages, a 12-time Fiddle state champion, Bingo, games, and contests. The evening will begin at 4 pm with the Lincoln Highway Band, straight out of Iowa, who were inspired by the Reed-Niland Corner! Food specials will also be available and pies, pies, pies courtesy of Niland’s Café and the Pie Maker!

A National Event: Portraits of Hope: America 250

One of the most exciting parts of our day of celebration is Portraits of Hope: America 250, a national art project traveling to all 50 states. Colo is one of three Iowa locations participating and currently the first.

Participants will paint large 4′ x 10′ acrylic sheets that will later be assembled into illuminated lanterns displayed in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., this October. The project is designed for ages 14 and up, though younger children may participate with hand-held guidance to paint within the lines.

At least 71 painters are needed but the team is aiming for 150. Discover Ames awarded us a grant, Niland’s Cafe, and the Lincoln and Jefferson Highway Heritage Byways are our first Sponsors.

We are looking for more sponsors! If you would like your business or community group logo and name on our banner and posters, contact reednilandcorner@gmail.com or jhau@prrcd.org. We have several levels to choose from!

See you on the byway!

Carnegie Libraries byways Tour: Cornell & Mt Vernon

by Jeanie Hau | Mar 6, 2026

Cornell College & Mount Vernon Public Library

In 1903, Cornell College and the City of Mount Vernon received a grant offer from Andrew Carnegie which allowed for the building of a library. This collaboration between a private college and a community to share a library is possibly the only one in the country. Although the library outgrew itself, the collaboration did not.

Securing the Grant

Recognizing the value of Carnegie’s library program, Senator William B. Allison and Governor Leslie M. Shaw used their influence to help Cornell College and Mount Vernon obtain a $40,000 grant offer in 1901 for a joint library. By 1903, the contract among the college, the city, and Carnegie was finalized, though it required several legal and administrative steps:

Ownership and control: Cornell College agreed to provide the land and required a two‑thirds majority on the library board.
Carnegie’s conditions: Carnegie insisted that annual maintenance—estimated at $4,000—be guaranteed. Mount Vernon would contribute $500 through taxation, and the college would supply the remainder.
State legislation: Iowa’s library law had to be amended to allow joint ownership and governance between a city and a private college. The Thirtieth General Assembly enacted the necessary changes.

A community fundraising effort in 1928 later created a maintenance endowment, with contributions from local donors, Carnegie himself, and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Designing and Constructing the Building

The architectural firm Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge of Boston and Chicago designed the new library, while Bartlett & Kling of Cedar Rapids served as contractors. The building featured a Neo‑Classical design with red brick, two main floors, and a basement. A north-side stack addition included iron-and-glass floors installed in 7’8” sections as funds allowed, and a spiral iron staircase connected all levels, including an exterior access point.

Because the library was built on a hillside, extensive foundation work was required, leading to cost reductions elsewhere in the design. At one point, the architects consulted the Olmsted Brothers regarding the placement of a memorial fountain—an intriguing connection to the firm’s broader landscape work on the Cornell campus. Whether the fountain was ever constructed remains unclear.

The building’s inscriptions were originally planned as:

Main cornice: “Library Building”
Entrance panel: “The Gift of Andrew Carnegie”

Cornerstone and Opening

Cornell College scheduled a cornerstone ceremony for June 14, 1904, even before the architectural drawings were complete. A special contract allowed construction of a foundation platform solely for the event. A 12-inch copper box containing documents was placed inside the cornerstone.

The library opened in September 1905 with 26,000 volumes under the supervision of librarian May L. Fairbanks. Mount Vernon, which had no public library of its own, gained full access to the college’s collection.

Although the 1903 contract established the building, no subsequent legal agreement defined the ongoing relationship between the Cornell College Library and the Mount Vernon Public Library. For decades, the arrangement functioned informally as a “gentleman’s agreement.”

When Cornell College opened a new library building in 2001, the Mount Vernon City Council passed an ordinance officially designating the Cole Library as the community’s public library. Today, the Russell D. Cole Library houses both the Cornell College Library and the Mount Vernon Public Library. Each maintains its own identity and website, but all materials are available to all users. To local knowledge, no other private college and municipality in the nation share a library in this way.

Later Use of the Carnegie Building

The original Carnegie Library was eventually repurposed as the Norton Geology Building, and its inscriptions were removed. The Cornell College Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, making Cornell one of only two colleges in the country with this distinction.

As you drive the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway through the National Historic District, slow down and take note of the buildings on both sides of the road and explore the College Campus, it is a beauty.

See you on the byway!

As always, thank you to the Carnegie Libraires in Iowa Project for the work they have provided and photographs. Thank you to the Cole Mount Vernon Public Library and the Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission and Visit Mount Vernon- Lisbon for information and photos.

Carnegie Library byways Tour: DeWitt, IA

by Jeanie Hau | Feb 5, 2026

The Old Library DeWitt Iowa Carnegie Library

Heading west on the Lincoln Highway, we come to our next Carnegie Library in DeWitt, Iowa. DeWitt had a public library long before it had a Carnegie Library. In 1897, a large group of citizens created the DeWitt Library Association by selling stocks. Stockholders gave $1 every 6 months for 5 years to have access to the library. Non-stockholders could also obtain a library card by paying a fee of $1 every year. The library contained 800 volumes.

By 1901, the citizens, as well as electors, petitioned for the library to be a Free Public Library funded and maintained through taxes. On March 25th of that year, during a regular municipal election, a majority vote was reached in favor of the Free Library. In January of 1902, the stockholders voted to turn the library over, and on April 2nd, the deed was transferred to the city. On April 7th, the Free DeWitt Public Library was opened to the public in a rented building on Main Street.

It wasn’t until 1906 that the DeWitt Public Library Board of Trustees began discussing the possibility of a Carnegie Grant, but with the growth of the library, a new space was needed. By April 8th, 1907, a Carnegie Grant was offered with the usual requirements of the city, which many were already met; a location was all that was needed. The corner of what is now 6th Ave and 9th St. was chosen.

The original grant offer was for $5,600, and an additional grant of $1,516 to complete the build. The architect of the Neoclassical design is unknown, and the contractor was Large Brothers from DeWitt. The opening date was June 1, 1908, and by 1909, the collection had grown to 1,774 books serving not just DeWitt but also surrounding communities and even troops during WW1 and WW2.

A remodel was done in 1962 to lighten the dark interior and add shelving and desks, but by the 1980s, the Board began looking for a new location as they had outgrown the Carnegie Building. After raising the needed funds and receiving large donations, the Frances Banta Waggoner Library opened its doors across from Lincoln Park. With 7,500 square feet of space, the library could now offer meeting areas and computer stations. The staff and volunteers moved the 15,000 volumes of books to the new location.

For a time, the town’s City Hall was located in the Carnegie Building until it outgrew the space. Then, a couple converted the building into a family home. In March of 2016, Jon and Lindsay Thiel bought the building and converted it into an event space.

This time is significant as they restored the original hardwood floors and wood trim around the doorways, converted the old wooden doors into the bar, and added handicap accessibility.

They chose to name the business ‘The Old Library’ as the building was already affectionately referred to by the town. The lower level was then rented to Soul Sisters Boutique (still in business but at a different location).

The Old Library event center and bar was successful, still, the busy life of the Thiels led them to sell the business to Beth and Martin Lanhart in February 2018. The Lanharts remodeled the building once again to expand the business with a kitchen and restaurant, which still operates today!

The Old Library is a family-run restaurant that takes pride in crafting every dish with care. They are open Wed-Sat 5 pm-9 pm.

Meanwhile, the Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library was outgrowing its space once again. In 2019, the library received a Community Attraction and Tourism grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority and expanded the library to fill the entire block of 5th Ave between 9th and 10th Streets. They also moved the front door to 5th Ave and decided to rename the library, the DeWitt Community Library, with the after-hours entrance being the Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library Entrance on 10th St. The new library space provides space for several private study rooms, as well as separated age-appropriate reading and activity spaces, classrooms, and community art space.

The community of DeWitt and the surrounding areas has a deep history in the value of education available to all, and it shows through their story.

See you on the byway!

Sources: Information on the history of the DeWitt Public Library/ DeWitt Community Library was gathered from the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project; articles written by Ann Soenksen, president of the Central Community Historical Society; “DeWitt library created with help of stockholders,” published in the DeWitt Observer Newspaper on June 1, 2018; “something new at the old library,” by Kate Howes published in the Observer on Nov 19, 2016; Carnegie Library on Wikipedia, The Old Library Facebook page; DeWitt Hometown Tour stories on News 8’s YouTube channel: WQAD 8 ABC Author: Shelby Kluver (WQAD); Published: 6:46 PM CDT June 14, 2023; and Google Maps

Carnegie Libraries byways Tour: Clinton Public Library

by Jeanie Hau | Jan 8, 2026

The Clinton Public Carnegie Library, 2025

The Lincoln Highway is the crossroad in this photo.

Located on the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway at the corner of S. 3^rd St and 306 8^th Ave S., the Clinton Public Library was funded by a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on August 24, 1901 in the amount of $30,000. The library was approved by the city in spring of 1902, a board was created, and planning began. In the spring of 1903, Carnegie agreed to increase the grant to the amount of $45,000. A corner lot of land was given by Mrs. Emma Lamb Young. The public school library donated several thousand volumes of books to fill the library shelves. The library officially opened its doors on November 8, 1904. Today, it continues to honor more than 110 years of service to local residents.

The library’s main building was designed by the Chicago architectural firm Patton & Miller and constructed by Daniel Haring between the years of 1903 and 1904 (cornerstone date is 1903). The structure features two stories and a raised basement. Limestone was used for the exterior. Built in the Beaux-Arts style, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, cementing its status as a cultural landmark.

The 1^st Board of Trustees consisted of the following: Hon. George D. McDaid, president; George B. Phelps, secretary; Mrs. W.I. Haynes, Virtus Lund, Sr.; Theo. Carstensen, Petrel Davis, Rev. E.H. McLaughlin, E.E. Hecker. Hon. George D. McDaid, who was also the mayor at the time, passed away before seeing the library completed. Mrs. W.I. Haynes was instrumental in the development and design of the library to allow for the capability to host a multitude of activities.

The Library Board of Trustees appointed Miss Belle Sweet as the first librarian in early 1904. Miss Sweet, like other librarians at the time, completed a course in library training at the University of Illinois. She had completed previous college work at the University of Wisconsin and was a high school teacher in Clinton prior to her appointment as librarian. Her assistant was Miss Lillian Cook, who attended the Iowa Summer Library School in 1904.

Just as in the beginning, the library today offers a robust circulating collection. Visitors can explore thousands of books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, reference materials, and other resources designed for all ages. The library has a Genealogy Department on the second floor, which serves as a designated Family Search Center, and in 2014, the library launched the Clinton Public Library Historic Newspaper Project. The project was created to digitize newspapers from the former Lyons and Clinton communities, dating from 1856 to 1927. This effort preserved an important piece of local history and made it accessible to researchers and residents alike.

Whether accessed in person, online, or through interlibrary loan, the library’s multimedia offerings continue to serve Clinton, Iowa, as more than just a building. The Clinton Public Library is a vital cultural and educational hub. Its collections, programs, and historical archives support the needs of patrons while preserving the stories of the community it serves.

* Sources were Wikipedia and the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project –(all historic photos were obtained from the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project)–

Postcard: source unknown

Source: Clinton Public Library and Iowa Carnegie Library Project.

Clinton Public Library

clinton carnegie library source 1st report of the iowa library commission

Source: 1st Report of Iowa Library Commission 1900-1902 (1904)

2025 photo showing the elevated basement.

1903 Cornerstone Date

Beaux-Arts Style Decoration

Welcoming visitors to Clinton, IA

2025 Clinton Public Library

Byway Carnegie Libraries to receive $10,000 Gifts

by Jeanie Hau | Dec 5, 2025

In October of this year, Carnegie Libraries across the nation received an email alerting them to a gift no one was expecting. The Carnegie Corporation of New York (originally the Carnegie Foundation) stated on their website that Carnegie Libraries will each receive a $10,000 gift to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To qualify, libraries must have been originally funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, remain operational, and acknowledge their Carnegie heritage. Cedar Rapids is an example. Cedar Rapids, for example, continues to honor its Carnegie connection, even though its Carnegie building is now a part of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Gift recipients may use the funds however they wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, thereby advancing their mission and benefiting their communities (Carnegie C of NY press release).

Carnegie Libraries to receive $10,000 gift

Between 1892 and 1917, fifteen Public Carnegie Libraries and one Academic Carnegie Library were located and built along the Lincoln Highway in Iowa. Many of these libraries were built in towns along the Lincoln Highway because they linked communities and gave Carnegie’s libraries even greater visibility and accessibility. In western Iowa, a line can connect the dots where a Carnegie Library can be found in Denison, in Dunlap, in Logan, in Woodbine, and in Missouri Valley.

In exchange for the free grant to build a library, the communities receiving the grants needed to obtain property, city support, an architect, a builder, and the books to fill their library. It was often women’s groups or single librarians who applied for the grants and who were tasked with getting city support for the endeavor.

Of Iowa’s 108 Carnegie libraries, 52 are still in use as libraries today, 46 exist but are no longer libraries and 10 no longer exist. Of the Lincoln Highway’s 16 libraries built, 7 are still used as libraries: Clinton Public Library, Ames Public Library, Jefferson Iowa Public Library, Norelius Public Library (Denison), Logan Public Library, Woodbine Carnegie Library, and Missouri Valley Public Library.

All Lincoln Highway Carnegie buildings still exist although the remaining 9 outgrew their buildings and built new libraries as opposed to building additions. Carroll, Cedar Rapids, and Council Bluffs are museums, Marion and Dunlap are used by churches, DeWitt is a restaurant (The Old Library), Marshalltown is a government building, Tama is privately owned, and Cornell in Mount Vernon is the Norton Geology Center and Anderson Museum (academic and public shared). Iowa Valley Carnegie libraries include Marengo and Traer (audio tour); both remain operational as libraries.

Active and prospering libraries who have built new buildings (links): Carroll Public Library, Cedar Rapids Public Library, Council Bluffs Public Library, DeWitt Public Library, Marshalltown Public Library, Louise & Lucile Hink Tama Public Library, Cole Mount Vernon Public Library (joint academic library).

Byway Carnegie Libraries who have announced on Facebook that they are accepting the gift include Traer (Iowa Valley), Clinton, Carroll, Logan, and Woodbine. The libraries are asking their patrons to share stories about their library and submit photos for possible inclusion on carnegielibraries.org. The site is part of Carnegie Libraries Across America, a resource that enables visitors to learn about each building. Iowa has a similar program, Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project. Reach out to your local library to find out how to submit your stories.

For more information on Andrew Carnegie’s library legacy, check out a timeline and a video posted by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Stay informed by signing up for the foundation’s Unstacked newsletter.

Wherever you are on the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway, you are near an Andrew Carnegie historic library building. With Iowa’s library open access program, you can check out more than just the history. Follow me on the byway as we explore the 16 Carnegie Libraries of the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway and the two along the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway.

Until next month…see you on the byway!

–Jeanie

Iowa Valley Scenic Byway Iowa Prairie Rivers of Iowa

Haunted Places Are Popular Destinations on the byways

by Jeanie Hau | Oct 1, 2025

Haunted destinations are becoming increasingly popular, and the byways do not disappoint. Cemetery walks can be found in almost every county and public libraries are getting in on the fun as well. Carnegie libraries are the oldest in the country so of course they have their own haunting stories. From luxury stays at the haunted Hotel Millwright to roughing it at the Squirrel Cage Jail. Searching for paranormal activity is exciting and fun for all ages.

Located on both the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway and the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway, an 1892 former Funeral Home, the Periwinkle Place Manor is a one-of-its kind adventure in waiting.

The manor is a B&B but also an event center. Whether you are spending the night hunting for ghosts, having a corporate cookout at the “cremation station,” or gathering for a scouting adventure through the “witch village,” haunting memories fill dreamlands for many nights after. The manor will also host Birthday celebrations with a twisted Alice in Wonderland theme being very popular. The Periwinkle Manor was even a proud stop on the Kyle’s Mile Ride for Suicide prevention last summer. A public Witchy themed night, private parties, and a Hallowgein Ball round out October events. And don’t forget to get your photo taken at the photo booth!

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Another destination to note on the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway is the Granger House Victorian Museum in Marion. The mansion was occupied by the same family for over 150 years, and the family is refusing to leave. At least four children and a woman were known to have died in the house. The restored example of a Victorian era home has been said to have furnishings which rearrange themselves to other rooms. A Lady in White appears in a window watching visitors but is nowhere to be found when sought out. Bone chilling singing from a young girl will accompany piano music and the girl will laugh when visitors cannot find her upon being heard. Other unexplained voices and apparitions have also been documented. Museum tours, private ghost hunts, and special events are available at the Granger House Museum.

So, whether you tour a museum, spend the night in a haunted hotel, or explore a cemetery by candlelight, October along the byways is the most ghoulish time of the year. Share your favorite experiences with us!

See you…on the byway!

Photos compliments of the Periwinkle Place Manor and the Granger House Museum Facebook page.

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