History and Culture by Bicycle: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Sundial

During the 1938 Grand Army of the Republic encampment in Des Moines, Iowa this sundial was dedicated to the Union veterans.

Of the nearly three million Union soldiers who fought during the Civil War, only an estimated 5,000 were still living in 1938. More than 100 of these veterans attended the 72nd encampment and most were over 90 years old.

Drake University President and astronomy professor Dr. D. W. Morehouse installed and adjusted the timepiece.

The sundial is on display at the Iowa State Capitol Complex and is part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution
Bicentennial Fountain
Bicentennial Time Capsule
Centennial Time Capsule
Christopher Columbus Memorial
Cornerstone
Crocker Memorial
Daniel Cooper Memorial Tree
Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Flagpole
Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Memorial Bench

Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Memorial Bench

Located at the Iowa State Capitol Complex, as part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour, near the G.A.R. Flagpole is the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Bench. This granite bench was donated by the Ladies of the G.A.R. and presented by Patriotic Instructor of the Ladies of the G.A.R. Alma C.J. Speckner of Madison, Wisconsin at the 1938 convention in Des Moines.

Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Flagpole

This 65 foot pole was dedicated to the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) and donated to the state by the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic during their 65th National Encampment of the G.A.R. in 1931. On one side of the base is a bronze engraving of Abraham Lincoln, on the other the Union Army symbol with an eagle.

The flagpole stands at the Iowa State Capitol Complex and is part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour in Des Moines.

Daniel Cooper Memorial Tree

Long time secretary/treasurer of the Iowa state Horticultural Society, Daniel Cooper, devoted much of his life for the people involved in the science of horticulture.

Planted at the Iowa State Capitol Complex and part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour in Des Moines this sugar maple is planted in honor of him.

Crocker Memorial

Erected in 1944 by the Crocker Women's Relief Corps the Crocker Memorial honors the first brigade formed in Iowa during the Civil War. "Crocker's Greyhounds" named for the first commander, General Marcellus M. Crocker, fought at the battles of Shilo, Luka, Corinth, Big Shanty, Vicksburg and Atlanta.

The marker is located on the Iowa State Capitol Complex and is part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution
Bicentennial Fountain
Bicentennial Time Capsule
Centennial Time Capsule
Christopher Columbus Memorial
Cornerstone

Cornerstone

Timeline:

November 1871 - The original cornerstone was laid in the southwest corner of the Capitol Building. It was 7 x 3 x 3 feet and inscribed with the names of the Capitol commissioners. Inside were 40 items.

Weaknesses were found in that first foundation.

1873 - A new commission was formed, a new foundation laid and cornerstone re-inscribed: "IOWA A.D. 1873". The same 40 items were returned to the cornerstone and another box added that brought the legislative history up to date.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution
Bicentennial Fountain
Bicentennial Time Capsule
Centennial Time Capsule
Christopher Columbus Memorial

Christopher Columbus Memorial

Located on the Iowa State Capitol Complex and part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour in DesMoines is the Christopher Columbus Memorial. The Italian-American community in Iowa donated the monument in 1938. The bronze bust of of Columbus rest between classical granite pillars. Anthony Sarcone, Italian publisher and civic leader coordinated the project for 20 years.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution
Bicentennial Fountain
Bicentennial Time Capsule
Centennial Time Capsule

Centennial Time Capsule

This time capsule was sealed in 1984 during the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Capitol. Some of the items contained include a Rubic's Cube, a "Where's The Beef?" Wendy's commercial and income tax forms from 1983. It will be opened January 17, 2084. The time capsule is located on the Iowa State Capitol Complex in Des Moines and is part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution
Bicentennial Fountain
Bicentennial Time Capsule

Bicentennial Time Capsule

To commemorate the nations bicentennial the time capsule was sealed in July of 1977. There are 58 items, selected for their historical significance, that occupy the two cubic feet of space inside the capsule. It will be re-opened on July 4, 2075. The time capsule is located on the Iowa State Capitol Complex and is part of Monuments and Memorials tour.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution
Bicentennial Fountain

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Bicentennial Fountain

The original Renaissance -style Bicentennial Fountain was a copy of one displayed at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. It had ornate cast-iron work topped with a woman holding a vase. Between the two basins, three additional female figures circled the center support. Swans and cherubs ringed the base.

After decades of vandalism and disrepair this new 10 foot-high fountain was ordered in 1980 and installed ain 1982 on the Iowa State Capitol Complex in Des Moines and is part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution

American Revolution

Located at the Iowa State Capitol Complex and part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour in Des Moines is the American Revolution monument. It was presented by the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. It features a central monument inscribed with the names of 39 Revolutionary War veterans who are buried in Iowa. The central monument is surrounded by 13 granite pillars with patriotic quotations dedicated to the original colonies.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument

Allison Monument

Senator William B. Allison, 1829-1908, represented Iowa in Congress for 43 years. He was twice a candidate for the presidential nomination of his party and was a close associate of every United States president from Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt.

In 1917, friends of Senator Allison, citizens and school children of Iowa along with the state Legislature raised the memorial. Evelyn B. Longman of New York designed the monument. A central plaque picturing Allison is flanked by symbols of Knowledge, Legislature and Financial Prosperity on the left. On the right are symbols of Peace, Humanity and Agricultural Prosperity. The topmost figure symbolizes The Republic.

The monument is on display on the Iowa State Capitol Complex in Des Moines and is part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Iowa Wind Power

Located in Adair County, just outside the town of Adair, Iowa is a rest stop on the west bound side of Interstate 80 that has a permenant exhibit about wind power and wind energy.

Authors note: Because this exhibit is located along an interstate it is not accessible by bicycle. Interstate highways in Iowa are limited access roadways. Bicycle traffic are prohibited from riding on them.