History
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I am enjoying the discussion of how the City of Solon came to be named. Both versions—the newspaper’s “after the famous, ancient Athenian lawmaker and poet,” and Antonia Russo’s “Solon Langworthy, one of Dubuque’s Langworthy brothers”—have something to offer, even if neither considers the account mentioned by Harold Dilts in From Ackley to Zwingle: The… Read more
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Family lore was we were kin to June Carter Cash, who was married to Johnny Cash. We had common family trees in southwest Virginia and for years, I called her a “shirt tail relative.” I descended from a line of Addingtons and so did she. I had an hour before having to get to the… Read more
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It appears the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Department of Administrative Services will proceed on their plan to close the State Historical Society building in Iowa City to the public on Dec. 31. An update from Mary Bennett can be found here. Despite the Oct. 24 temporary injunction issued by Johnson County District… Read more
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My veterans group asked about having a social hour at the Hilltop Tavern in Iowa City last Friday. I don’t visit many taverns yet I like folks in our group and it was located across the street from the grocer from which I needed provisions. I drove the 14 miles to the county seat, parked… Read more
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When I became an adult, married, and settled into steady work, it was assumed I would volunteer in the community. The volunteer impulse has its roots in the industrial period after the Civil War. People used less time to produce enough money with which to live our lives. In more modern terms, we could pay… Read more
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The decision to close the Iowa Historical Society Research Center in Iowa City has been made. On Saturday, Aug. 23, I participated in a rally to reverse the decision in a packed room at the Iowa City Public Library. The main ask from the event organizers and from State Representative Adam Zabner, who represents the… Read more
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I probably won’t go to The State Historical Society of Iowa’s Centennial Building in Iowa City before it closes for good on June 30, 2026. In all my time in Johnson County, I’ve only ever been inside a couple of times. I remember purchasing some Iowa history books with their distinctive red covers. There are… Read more
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This is the face of a man trying to understand how his Android camera works. The background on the state park trail was planned. The green sweatshirt is my standard winter uniform, although I own sweatshirts in several colors. The watch cap was a gift from a farmer friend. My unshaven face is because I’m… Read more
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When a group of men gathered at the Rock Island home of George Davenport in 1835, they had a mind to purchase land and lay out a town on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River. With native tribes removed, something needed to be done with the land, or so they believed. By any measure,… Read more
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A few uncaptioned photos from my May 21, 2022 visit to the Iowa County Pioneer Heritage Museum. I’m still mulling the meaning of the collection of historical items. Read more
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