|
The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives 102 Old Lincoln Way West Galion, Ohio 44833 (419) 462-2212 Voice |
|
Number 45
Council Bluffs
Kids,
I was at the Fire House in Cresent, Iowa
only miles Council Bluffs.
Pictures were taken,
the "Book of Remembrance" was signed
and the Community Data Sheets filled out.
I asked for advise and directions going on into Council Bluffs.
They said to skip Station 4 on the right as I came into town
and continue on until I hit the Main Station downtown.
Sounded like a plan to me...
Sure enough,
as I made my way down the old Lincoln Highway,
I saw Station 4 up on the hill.
I started to drive by according to plan
when rather unexpectedly several firemen
came running out and signaled me over.
It was too late,
I was commited,
so I went around the block.
The nicest guys you'd ever want to meet...
We got to talking and pretty soon a group
of school children approached the Station.
It was Fire Prevention Week and they were scheduled for a Tour.
Well, one thing lead to another
and soon the Flag was up and I was giving a talk on The Lincoln Highway.
One of the Firemen climbed the ladder and took this shot from high above.
Then 20 minutes later a second group arrived.
I showed them the lock of Mr. Lincoln's hair, gave them each
a 2x3 souviner and a copy of "Link Across America" a childrens
book on the Highway for the School Library.
Then just as an after thought, one of the teachers said,
"Have you been to the Lincoln Monument?"
Of course, I had no idea what she was talking about.
Well, it seems Mr. Lincoln was in Council Bluffs on November 17, 1859
and discussed the building of the Transcontinenatl Railroad
with General Genfield Dodge.
Apparently, the Momument marks both the spot and the occasion.
Well, couriosity got the best of me,
so the Firemen said they'd take me up after class.
It was twilight when we arrived,
but I think the shots turned out real nice.
We took this one just to be sure...
and this one just to be nice.
I think Mr. Lincoln enjoyed himself, don't you???
This is the view looking West toward Omaha and the Great Plate River Valley
that Mr. Lincoln and General Dodge saw those many years ago.
After the photo shoot the Firemen said to follow them on down to Station 1.
It was the strangest thing,
one minute they were there and the next they were gone...
I was in utter bewilderment,
was this real or just a dream.
Apparently it was real because I ran into them later back at the station
after a rather long and drawn out drive around town.
It seems duty called...
Spent two wonderful days in Council Bluffs
doing research and seeing the sights
with sleeping accomodations provided by
the Council Bluffs Fire Department.
The Batallion Chief even gave me a CBFD Stocking Cap
to keep my head warm when I crossed the mountains.
The Council Bluffs Library is quite the place,
seems Riverboat Gambling had its advantages.
This is one of two Brick Scupture on either side of the entrance.
More on this later.
In any event, my research was quite Fruitful.
Council Bluffs was the first Community in the Nation
to Celebrate the Dedication of The Lincoln Highway.
At exactly one minute after midnight on October 31, 1913
factory whistles sounded all over town and a large Bon Fire
was lit in the center of town.
Quite fitting since Council Bluffs is really the
Gateway to the West and the Eastern Terminus
for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Speaking of which,
General Grenville Dodge was the chief engineer
and lived in a spectacular home on the Bluffs
overlooking the Missouri River.
Mention had been made of the home at the Fire Station,
so I ventured a visit.
If you're ever in Council Bluffs,
The Dodge Home is a MUST See!!
The Victorian furishings will astound you.
I think Mr. Lincoln enjoyed his visit here as well.
OK, now on to Mrs. Dodge...
As the story goes, one night and Angel came to her
on the prow of a boat and offered her Waters of Life.
Several days later she passed away.
In honor of his late wife,
General Dodge commissioned Daniel Chester French
to construct a bronze state of the Angel for her
Cemetary Marker.
Sorry couldn't resist, but Daniel Chester
you might recall did the Lincoln Sculpute
at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
So off to Grandmothers house we go...
Quite a sight to behold...
Hadn't been there two minutes,
when a couple young lads and their father show up.
Seems the boys had a thing for Fire Trucks.
In any event, their dad was a Fireman in Omaha
and made arrangments for me to stay at the Fire House.
Not two minutes after they left two motorcycles showed up.
Turns out they were Firemen as well,
and get this from Lincoln, Nebraska.
They said,
"Oh you have to go to Lincoln and see this friend of ours."
"He collects Fire Trucks and would love to see your truck."
In any event, that's how I ended up in Lincoln.
Now, back to the story...
Before heading out for parts West,
I made an additional appearance at Station 1
for a group shot with the Firemen and
a third group of school children visiting for Fire Prevention Week.
The local newspaper showed up,
so after the shoot we took another trip to the
Bluffs and the Lincoln Monument.
Get this, turns out Mr. Lincoln and I was there
on the 90th anniverary of the dedication of the Momument.
Talk about timing...one of many such miraculous events
concerning Mr. Lincoln and the Union Pacific Railroad.
BACK-44
Email-Index
NEXT-46
HOME
Designed By: The Starman
You are Visitor #
Since January 12, 2002
I was at the Fire House in Cresent, Iowa
only miles Council Bluffs.
Pictures were taken,
the "Book of Remembrance" was signed
and the Community Data Sheets filled out.
I asked for advise and directions going on into Council Bluffs.
They said to skip Station 4 on the right as I came into town
and continue on until I hit the Main Station downtown.
Sounded like a plan to me...
Sure enough,
as I made my way down the old Lincoln Highway,
I saw Station 4 up on the hill.
I started to drive by according to plan
when rather unexpectedly several firemen
came running out and signaled me over.
It was too late,
I was commited,
so I went around the block.
The nicest guys you'd ever want to meet...
We got to talking and pretty soon a group
of school children approached the Station.
It was Fire Prevention Week and they were scheduled for a Tour.
Well, one thing lead to another
and soon the Flag was up and I was giving a talk on The Lincoln Highway.
One of the Firemen climbed the ladder and took this shot from high above.
Then 20 minutes later a second group arrived.
I showed them the lock of Mr. Lincoln's hair, gave them each
a 2x3 souviner and a copy of "Link Across America" a childrens
book on the Highway for the School Library.
Then just as an after thought, one of the teachers said,
"Have you been to the Lincoln Monument?"
Of course, I had no idea what she was talking about.
Well, it seems Mr. Lincoln was in Council Bluffs on November 17, 1859
and discussed the building of the Transcontinenatl Railroad
with General Genfield Dodge.
Apparently, the Momument marks both the spot and the occasion.
Well, couriosity got the best of me,
so the Firemen said they'd take me up after class.
It was twilight when we arrived,
but I think the shots turned out real nice.
We took this one just to be sure...
and this one just to be nice.
I think Mr. Lincoln enjoyed himself, don't you???
This is the view looking West toward Omaha and the Great Plate River Valley
that Mr. Lincoln and General Dodge saw those many years ago.
After the photo shoot the Firemen said to follow them on down to Station 1.
It was the strangest thing,
one minute they were there and the next they were gone...
I was in utter bewilderment,
was this real or just a dream.
Apparently it was real because I ran into them later back at the station
after a rather long and drawn out drive around town.
It seems duty called...
Spent two wonderful days in Council Bluffs
doing research and seeing the sights
with sleeping accomodations provided by
the Council Bluffs Fire Department.
The Batallion Chief even gave me a CBFD Stocking Cap
to keep my head warm when I crossed the mountains.
The Council Bluffs Library is quite the place,
seems Riverboat Gambling had its advantages.
This is one of two Brick Scupture on either side of the entrance.
In any event, my research was quite Fruitful.
Council Bluffs was the first Community in the Nation
to Celebrate the Dedication of The Lincoln Highway.
At exactly one minute after midnight on October 31, 1913
factory whistles sounded all over town and a large Bon Fire
was lit in the center of town.
Quite fitting since Council Bluffs is really the
Gateway to the West and the Eastern Terminus
for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Speaking of which,
General Grenville Dodge was the chief engineer
and lived in a spectacular home on the Bluffs
overlooking the Missouri River.
Mention had been made of the home at the Fire Station,
so I ventured a visit.
If you're ever in Council Bluffs,
The Dodge Home is a MUST See!!
The Victorian furishings will astound you.
I think Mr. Lincoln enjoyed his visit here as well.
OK, now on to Mrs. Dodge...
As the story goes, one night and Angel came to her
on the prow of a boat and offered her Waters of Life.
Several days later she passed away.
In honor of his late wife,
General Dodge commissioned Daniel Chester French
to construct a bronze state of the Angel for her
Cemetary Marker.
Sorry couldn't resist, but Daniel Chester
you might recall did the Lincoln Sculpute
at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
So off to Grandmothers house we go...
Quite a sight to behold...
Hadn't been there two minutes,
when a couple young lads and their father show up.
Seems the boys had a thing for Fire Trucks.
In any event, their dad was a Fireman in Omaha
and made arrangments for me to stay at the Fire House.
Not two minutes after they left two motorcycles showed up.
Turns out they were Firemen as well,
and get this from Lincoln, Nebraska.
They said,
"Oh you have to go to Lincoln and see this friend of ours."
"He collects Fire Trucks and would love to see your truck."
In any event, that's how I ended up in Lincoln.
Now, back to the story...
Before heading out for parts West,
I made an additional appearance at Station 1
for a group shot with the Firemen and
a third group of school children visiting for Fire Prevention Week.
The local newspaper showed up,
so after the shoot we took another trip to the
Bluffs and the Lincoln Monument.
Get this, turns out Mr. Lincoln and I was there
on the 90th anniverary of the dedication of the Momument.
Talk about timing...one of many such miraculous events
concerning Mr. Lincoln and the Union Pacific Railroad.
BACK-44 |
Email-Index |
NEXT-46 |
HOME |
Designed By: The Starman
You are Visitor #
Since January 12, 2002