By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The final kolaches were baked months ago, as bread pans, baking sheets, mixing bowls and more from Sykora Bakery’s long history in Czech Village are auctioned online. Developer Kory Nanke, who purchased the historic Sykora building for $290,000 in December, said he was unsure what business might […]
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Category: historic architecture
Bohemian dance hall to Pagliai’s Pizza;
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Pagliai’s staff deftly serve pizza in the same building where Czech kolaches were undoubtedly served in the distant past. That long history could eventually be marked in the form of a local landmark designation for the building most recognized in recent decades as the home of Pagliai’s Pizza in Iowa City. […]
Historic Preservation Commission letter:...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, tasked with advising the city on preservation issues, is sending a letter to the City Council, encouraging options to save Harrison Elementary School. “We strongly encourage and implore City Council to advocate for the consideration of all options torenovate and reuse this building,” the letter […]
Historic Chandler Pump building enters n...
By Cindy Hadish CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Iowa’s 2020 derecho almost wiped out plans to transform the historic Chandler Pump building into supportive housing for Willis Dady Homeless Services. The top floor of the two-story building, 707 B Ave. NW, was obliterated by the hurricane-strength windstorm, leaving the rest of the 1903-built brick structure at […]
Costs for new school to replace Harrison...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Touted costs-savings to replace the structurally sound and architecturally significant Harrison Elementary with a new school have already proven greatly exaggerated. The Cedar Rapids Community School District’s Master Facility Plan Oversight Committee was told at its Dec. 18, 2023, meeting that the estimated cost had grown to $33.8 million, well over […]
Despite missing stones, masonry complete...
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Finish work on stone columns and what remained of the historic stone wall at Oak Hill Cemetery became more challenging when it was discovered that none of the field stones had been saved for the project. The 120-foot-long wall, cited as a contributing historic structure in the […]
Finding Trevor H.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa — It was the photography/art wing of the now-closed Iowa Wesleyan University’s auction. Related: See photos from the Iowa Wesleyan auction Hoping for a wooden bench or two, I bid on an entire room, not expecting to win. But I did, and the room came with an unexpected find. A large art […]
Final photos: South Quad at the Universi...
IOWA CITY, Iowa — A hole replaces decades of history on the University of Iowa campus as students return for the start of classes this week. South Quadrangle, 310 S. Grand Ave., a former residence hall located behind Slater Hall on the west side of campus, was demolished this summer to make way for a […]
History auctioned as Iowa Wesleyan close...
MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa — With Iowa Wesleyan University, Doug Moore is leading his third college closure, but only expects additional institutions to close their doors throughout the country. “This is what I do,” said Moore, founding partner of Des Moines-based Highland Group LLC. “I shut down colleges.” Moore is directing the liquidation of thousands of […]
Ushers Ferry celebrates 50 years with ol...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Hundreds of visitors took a step back in time as Ushers Ferry Historic Village celebrated its 50-year anniversary. The “birthday bash,” Saturday, July 1, 2023, on the 10-acre site at 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE, featured the Hawk A Model A Club, Iowa Brass Band, Old West Reenactors — Hole in […]