Saturday, July 19:
Starting out the day from Dubuque, Iowa, I followed U.S. 52 south from downtown. Crossing a bridge, I came upon a Recreational Area, entitled the Mines of Spain. Being curious, I took a left. What I found first a mystery of the name. Coming upon a fisherman, he told me this land went from the French to Spanish control in 1792, but the French had mined lead before the American Revolution. So, the mines were lead mines. Then, the best part—he told me to go farther and I would come to a view of the Mississippi, the town of Dubuque, and the grave monument of Julien Dubuque, himself. His monument is in the shape of a castle piece in a chess set.
Tracing my way back to U.S. 52, GRAPE and I headed down the highway with the Mississippi River basically to our left. We came upon a couple of small towns named after the Roman Catholic Church that was the town’s focal point. The first, Saint Catherine’s, (not spelled the same way as my Aunt Kate’s name) was not open. An interesting side observation: the name of the town, road to the church, and church sign all spelled “Catherine.” The cornerstone of the church stated: Saint Catharina, 1887. The second town and church I came to was Saint Donatus. This church was open. Walking inside, I found myself among vaulted ceilings with stencils, elaborate alter pieces, and narrow stained glass windows with each focusing on one of the apostles. This church building, being finished in 1908 is one hundred years young. From its sturdiness in looks, it will be around for another 100 years. Contrast that with our “throw away” stadiums and arenas in today’s cities such as in Indianapolis.
At Bellevue, Iowa there is a Subway Sandwich Shop restaurant that must have the best views outside their building of any Subway’s franchises. The Subway is built on a bluff above the Mississippi River at the site of Lock and Dam #12. The building has a deck that one can go eat their sandwich and watch barges being put into the locks for the water to be raised. This process allows barges to continue to float down Ol’ Man River.
As I was ready to go drive east on U.S. 52 over the river to Illinois on one of those boring, modern-day bridges, I looked back to the west on Iowa S.R 64 to find what I thought was a small country church. Turns out it was a modern day Iowa Welcome Center made in the shape and looks of a little white one room school house. Going inside, it was complete with the appropriate school desks, blackboard, and pot bellied stove of the day. It was so cute.
Crossing over into Illinois, I headed toward Mendota, Illinois, passing through Dixon along the way. Dixon, Illinois is “advertised” as Ronald Regan’s Boyhood Home. However, the sign on “boyhood home” indicated he only lived there three years. The house was closed, and maybe there are other homes in the town where he lived. If not, I am not sure but, Dixon maybe doing some false advertising. However, the local public library building with a date of 1900 at its top, does give acknowledgement that Ronald Regan, in 1920, at nine years of age, was issued library card number 3695, “becoming a frequent library visitor and avid reader during his Dixon years.”
Traveling on to Mendota, I stopped for the night so that I could attend the Presbyterian Church the next morning. When I found the church, I discovered what time the service was by the sign in front that turns: one side for 9 am worship in the summer, one side for 10 am worship during the rest of the year.
Starting out the day from Dubuque, Iowa, I followed U.S. 52 south from downtown. Crossing a bridge, I came upon a Recreational Area, entitled the Mines of Spain. Being curious, I took a left. What I found first a mystery of the name. Coming upon a fisherman, he told me this land went from the French to Spanish control in 1792, but the French had mined lead before the American Revolution. So, the mines were lead mines. Then, the best part—he told me to go farther and I would come to a view of the Mississippi, the town of Dubuque, and the grave monument of Julien Dubuque, himself. His monument is in the shape of a castle piece in a chess set.
Tracing my way back to U.S. 52, GRAPE and I headed down the highway with the Mississippi River basically to our left. We came upon a couple of small towns named after the Roman Catholic Church that was the town’s focal point. The first, Saint Catherine’s, (not spelled the same way as my Aunt Kate’s name) was not open. An interesting side observation: the name of the town, road to the church, and church sign all spelled “Catherine.” The cornerstone of the church stated: Saint Catharina, 1887. The second town and church I came to was Saint Donatus. This church was open. Walking inside, I found myself among vaulted ceilings with stencils, elaborate alter pieces, and narrow stained glass windows with each focusing on one of the apostles. This church building, being finished in 1908 is one hundred years young. From its sturdiness in looks, it will be around for another 100 years. Contrast that with our “throw away” stadiums and arenas in today’s cities such as in Indianapolis.
At Bellevue, Iowa there is a Subway Sandwich Shop restaurant that must have the best views outside their building of any Subway’s franchises. The Subway is built on a bluff above the Mississippi River at the site of Lock and Dam #12. The building has a deck that one can go eat their sandwich and watch barges being put into the locks for the water to be raised. This process allows barges to continue to float down Ol’ Man River.
As I was ready to go drive east on U.S. 52 over the river to Illinois on one of those boring, modern-day bridges, I looked back to the west on Iowa S.R 64 to find what I thought was a small country church. Turns out it was a modern day Iowa Welcome Center made in the shape and looks of a little white one room school house. Going inside, it was complete with the appropriate school desks, blackboard, and pot bellied stove of the day. It was so cute.
Crossing over into Illinois, I headed toward Mendota, Illinois, passing through Dixon along the way. Dixon, Illinois is “advertised” as Ronald Regan’s Boyhood Home. However, the sign on “boyhood home” indicated he only lived there three years. The house was closed, and maybe there are other homes in the town where he lived. If not, I am not sure but, Dixon maybe doing some false advertising. However, the local public library building with a date of 1900 at its top, does give acknowledgement that Ronald Regan, in 1920, at nine years of age, was issued library card number 3695, “becoming a frequent library visitor and avid reader during his Dixon years.”
Traveling on to Mendota, I stopped for the night so that I could attend the Presbyterian Church the next morning. When I found the church, I discovered what time the service was by the sign in front that turns: one side for 9 am worship in the summer, one side for 10 am worship during the rest of the year.
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