Some of the dilapidated and interesting things my wife and I see along the back roads of Iowa. Thanks to my wife I now look at our travels differently.
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
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Still Waiting by Lee Smith Via Flickr: Yard Art in Boone county Iowa. 50's cool busses.
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Shaded by Lee Smith Via Flickr: Yard Art in Boone county Iowa. 50's cool busses.
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To Cool for School by Lee Smith Via Flickr: Could be some of the coolest yard art I have seen in awhile.
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Doors Open Come In on Flickr.
If you want your imagination to run wild look at it in actual size and check out the upper left window pane of the top floor windows that are not broken out. The Identical blur turned up in all the pics I took from this angle. I am sure its something on a screen if there still is a screen. Next time I an in the area I will find this place again. On the sad note in Iowa this is what is happening to most of the family farms.
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Back on the Backroad
Yay, I have updated internet explorer. I should have done this a long time ago but didn't. So Tumbler now works on my PC. I was trying to do this with my phone but was failing due to slow connection speeds. Now we will see if I can keep this up with out excuses.
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Dr Wolfe's Hospital 1909 2 on Flickr.
Dr Wolfe's Hospital 1909 2
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IowaStateFairCollage on Flickr.
People watching is one of the best things to do at the fair. It was even more fun this year with a camera. The windows of this building made a great frame for shadow people.
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Pioneer Theatre on Flickr.
Via Flickr: From 1959 to 1985 the Pioneer Theatre was lighting up the big screen. Now only the screen stands looking over a RV sales operation. The once 700 car capacity lot makes for a lot of space for campers.
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Minburn Depot on Flickr.
The Minburn Depot was built in 1914 after the original wood structure burnt down. It served the passenger train until 1959 when the last M & and StL train ran. The city wants to move the building to a vacant lot adjacent to the bike trail for a rest stop for bikers. The plan has been in the works for a few years and money is being raise. I am sure this is one hidden gem that will be saved. Small communities have a habit of banding together to keep the history that is around them. Also this was the official first stop of our adventures. We were turning around because we missed the cafe and right here it was. There is a lot of history and with the town looking to restore the building my wife and I should be able to drive her and possible grab a bite to eat some time and reminisce on how our little photographic adventures started and have progressed. The city of Minburn has a page talking about the history and restoration it can be found with the following link.. http://www.minburn.org/minburn-depot.html
As of 7/16/14 the depot is up on wheels and should be moved to its new location 8am on the 17th.
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Closed today on Flickr.
Another place along the road you will not be eating at. Minburn is a small town in central Iowa not far from where I live. I love stone buildings and this one is no exception. And to make the building even better is that is in a state of decay. I have drove by it quite a few times since moving to central Iowa in 99 but don't recall it ever being open. This was also the second stop on the maiden adventure for my wife, the kids and I. The kids could have cared less as their noses were either stuck to a movie, or on the phones. But we had a great time and our adventurers have now become a large part in our lives as we can grab the camera hop in the little gas sipper car and take a cheap trip. Or we can make a day out of a short trip the grocery store. The later usually with only the baby in tow since he doesn’t mind so much. .
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Rear of Rutland School on Flickr.
Long since closed Rutland School building. I am not sure what year it actually consolidated. It has sat with no children for as long as i can remember. Across Iowa there are tons of school building sitting in the same or worse condition as towns lose their schools due to lack of children to fill them. .
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Des Moines Skyscrapers on Flickr.
Downtown Des Moines Skyline shots are always fun. It’s cool to get on top of the parking garages for another perspective. This was taken while looking at the north side of the Younkers Building. The Financial Center and the EMC Building are a couple of the tallest in Des Moines. Most views of the EMC building are of the front and its Vodka bottle facade.
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Branch Holder on Flickr.
West side of the North Des Moines Best Western. There are 50 pics of the property on my flicker page. Follow the link attatched.
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Housekeeping in need of Housekeeping on Flickr.
Housekeeping at the North Des Moines Best Western. Notice that the cans of soda are all over the floor. Most have not been opened.
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Busted Window on Flickr.
This place is just massive I have a few from the hotel side of the property. The North End Diner and Best Western North Des Moines appear to be a playground for anyone keen on wrecking everything in sight. I am thinking the diner closed sometime in 2009 or late 2008 and the hotel was closed before with no intention on reopening. The hotel a former Ramada was refurbished in 2004 but all the reviews I read have this place listed as a dump. I guess that could be one portion of why it closed. It was a sprawling hotel with 4 separate room units, a huge pool, and entrance with the North End Diner all attached by a long walkway that was never heated or cooled. My wife had posted her pictures on FB and a local fire fighter had commented that they used the hotel portion for training and now it is so full of mold that it is unsafe to enter. I guess that is no reason for vagrants and kids to enter looking for something to smash as almost every window and door are make for an entrance now. The place will be gone at some point the hotel is a ehh who cares in my book but the Diner was a cool place to eat. And there seem to be less and less of the old school diners around to get the 50’s feel for your burgers.
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Stop Your Look'n This Place is Cook'n on Flickr.
Another view of the front entrance to the North End Diner. Even though it has been closed a good 5 years the crome is cool.
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Closed on Flickr.
The North End Diner and Best Western North Des Moines appear to be a playground for anyone keen on wrecking everything in sight. I am thinking the diner closed sometime in 2009 or late 2008 and the hotel was closed before with no intention on reopening. The hotel a former Ramada was refurbished in 2004 but all the reviews I read have this place listed as a dump. I guess that could be one portion of why it closed. It was a sprawling hotel with 4 separate room units, a huge pool, and entrance with the North End Diner all attached by a long walkway that was never heated or cooled. My wife had posted her pictures on FB and a local fire fighter had commented that they used the hotel portion for training and now it is so full of mold that it is unsafe to enter. I guess that is no reason for vagrants and kids to enter looking for something to smash as almost every window and door are make for an entrance now. The place will be gone at some point the hotel is a ehh who cares in my book but the Diner was a cool place to eat. And there seem to be less and less of the old school diners around to get the 50’s feel for your burgers.
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