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 […]
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Category: historic architecture
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 […]
Queen Anne Victorian home on the move in...
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa — After 131 years at its North Liberty location, a Queen Anne Victorian home made the first leg of its move to a new site in rural Oxford, Iowa. Built in 1892 for the Jacob and Martha George family, the more than 2,800-square-foot house features a wraparound porch, turret, curved staircase, pocket […]
Queen Anne Victorian home on Iowa’s Most
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa — A house listed on Preservation Iowa’s 2023 “Most Endangered” properties is getting a second chance in a new location. The Queen Anne Victorian home, built in 1892, will make the 16-mile trek from North Liberty to rural Oxford in June. “My wife and I had been looking to move other houses,” […]
Cedar Rapids School Board agrees to $1 m...
NOTE: A public hearing is scheduled during the Cedar Rapids School Board meeting Monday, June 12, 2023, on the agreement between the School District and Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. Anyone interested in addressing the board must sign in a few minutes before the start of the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held at […]