Northwood, Iowa, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! It may be time to re-design our street signs and let them help sell the places where we live. How would you evaluate the design? the color? the font? the emblem? the cartouche? How would you evaluate the street names themselves? Be sure to see yesterday's post. [2019]

Clarinda, Iowa, USA

♫ These Are a Few of My Favorite Things ♫ ~ Courthouses: There are over 3000 counties in the U.S., and each one has a county courthouse. County seats like Clarinda generally use their courthouses to brag about their past, their ideals, and their quality of life. They do this with eye-catching architecture and a plethora of memorials. [2019]

Adair, Iowa, USA

Because of the town's water tower, everyone in Adair wakes up happy every morning. Here is a salience with a name and a face to give it personality: just like you. What gives your community personality? What puts a smile on your face every day? Just like you. [2008]

McGregor, Iowa, USA

Compact urban form and walkability: The Barron Block is being refurbished, but the old storefronts are being retained. A building like this was like a contract between the investor and the community. And, like a contract, it was always signed and dated. See the name and date at the top? As if it were the last thing added: just like a contract. [2019]

Anita, Iowa, USA

The Pillsbury doughboy seems to have been nailed to a telephone pole, but he still seems so happy. At 54 years old, he is probably happy about how well he has defied aging. Now an historic figure, he seems to belong along a historic highway. [2019]

Odebolt, Iowa, USA

One of the shields on the side of this corn crib portrays Cracker Jack, the grand daddy of American junk food. In its heyday, almost all the popcorn (the main ingredient) came from Odebolt. In these corn cribs it was stored until it could be hauled off to Chicago. Odebolt was the Popcorn Center of the World. It is only half an hour away from Sac City. [2019]

Sac City, Iowa, USA

There they are: two local lads mowing grass right across the street from (can you read it?) the world's largest popcorn ball. It was created in 2016 and weighs 9,370 pounds. The town was so proud they built a pavilion to show it off. [2019]

Marquette, Iowa, USA

The Marquette Bridge spans the Mississippi River. On the Iowa side is the town of Marquette. On the Wisconsin side is a statue of Marquette. To the southeast is the site where Marquette (and his partner Joliet) first tethered the Mississippi River to the Europeanized world. As for that boat on a pole: a monument to Europeanization? [2019]

Clive, Iowa, USA

All nations have flags. All states have flags. But, do all corporations have flags? Vexillologists wish they did. No flag, however, should be flown higher than the national standard of the United States of America. Have a good Flag Day! [2008]

Indianola, Iowa, USA

Faux Animal Characters: What better animal to advertise a car wash than an elephant! But why does the elephant have to be pink? Maybe this one isn't pink. Maybe you're hallucinating? But what about that one in California? [2008]

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

On this date in 1846, President James K. Polk signed the bill that made Iowa a state, the 29th to join the Union. Working over the Christmas holidays: That was President Polk. He must have been anxious to add to his long list of accomplishments. A few decades later, Iowans found a hill (yes, in Iowa!) where they could build their new state capitol. [2004]

Winterset, Iowa, and New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Old ideas never die. They just get re-purposed. Fifty years ago, the outhouse had already been relegated to memories of growing up in the old days. Now, almost everyone has used a cleverly-named Johnny Pot or one of his cousins. If you have memories of an outhouse you used at home, church or school, add them to the comment section below! [2004, 2011]

Indianola, Iowa, USA

Look at these sports cars and imagine the demographics of the owners and admirers. How would their profile contrast with classic car or motorcycle aficionados? Think: gender, age, race, socioeconomic status, and then move on to apparel. [2008]

Elk Horn, Iowa, USA

Let's play Jeopardy. The answer is 'Morning Star Chapel.' What's the question? 'What is the smallest church in the United States?' It's located on the Iowa Prairie in the heart of Danish America. [2008]

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

When 'Nomade' was first installled, it stood in front of the public library. Look what it's made from. Don't you think that's a perfect tie-in? Just think: All the knowledge we have in the western world comes down to just 26 letters. Sculptor: Jaume Plensa. [2008]

St. Charles, Iowa, USA

Imes is the oldest of the surviving bridges of Madison County, Iowa. It has been moved twice since 1870 when it was built. At this location, its relationship to the land is lost. What good is a covered bridge without a stream passing underneath? [2008]

Elk Horn, Iowa, USA

Where are the landmarks in your community? Or, doesn't it matter? It mattered so much to the Danes who immigrated to the Iowa prairie that they bought an 1848 windmill and moved it from Denmark to be with them in their new home, thus making their new home like their old home. [2008]