| Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Iowa attractions, posted by real travelers and locals. Map |
 | Iowa Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 46 |  |
 St. Francis Xavier
Basilica, Dyersville,
Iowa by deecat,
2 more photos
I'm so glad that we were able to see, even if it was only on the outside [services were in session].
It has lovely twin spires and 64 windows. Critics say that it is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the Midwest. I'm no expert, but I believe that they speak the truth!
In 1856, Catholics were granted their first Mission pastor, and by 1862, the first Catholic church was completed. Seven years later, the church's population had doubled; thus, in 1887 construction of the present Basilica was started. As photograph #3 indicates, in 1889, this church was dedicated. It took much foresight to build such a large structure. They had to use block and tackle of rope and pulleys to hoist materials to heights of 212 feet! The end product is magnificent. It took over two years to complete it.
I found out that the term "Basilica is a Greek derivation from "Basileus" which means "a royal or kingly building. St Francis Xavier was the 12th church in the U.S. so honored. It is the ONLY church in a rural area so bestowed. This honor took place in 1956.
Because it is a Basilica, it has its own Coat of Arms [located above the pulpit] has the colors of the United States flag [red, white, & blue] It contains the gothic spires of the Basilica, a sheaf of golden grain, and 3 ears of corn. All of that portion of the shield represents to town and state.
The bottom portion of the shield represents St. Francis Xavier; it contains a bell, a galleon [he traveled from India to Japan and over the seven seas. It also has the statue of St. Francis himself.
Can you believe that this church has 5,000 parishioners, and Dyersville's population is only 4,000! Leave a Comment Phone: 563-857-7325
|
 | |  |
Visiting Iowa?
Read reviews about Iowa Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Both Jill and I agreed when we decided to visit Iowa that we just had to see the farm where the movie "Field of Dreams" was filmed. Thus, we set aside half of one day to visit Kyersville, Iowa.
The farm is really a family farm with a baseball diamond carved into the center of it's acreage. It's the original setting where the movie "Field of Dreams" was filmed. The woman at the concession stand told me that more than 300 farms submitted their desire to be used in the movie, and this beautiful farm in Dyersville, Iowa, just happened to win.
In 1989, the 100-year-old Lansing family farm was seen by millions, and has become a pilgrimage for baseball lovers and for dreamers of all kinds.
"Field of Dreams" was based on the book, Shoeless Joe written by a graduate of the University of Iowa.
The movie required that they add the wrap around portion of the porch. The baseball field was constructed in three days. They kept the field after the movie was complete, and that was the beginning ....people from all over the world started arriving to see it. I can see why...it's truly tranquil and pastoral.
While we were here, a mother, father, and small boy were playing ball...the mother was the batter. It was quite endearing to see.
Note: The Ghost Players are scheduled to appear on the last Sunday of each month in June through September from 12 pm to 2 pm, performing "The Greatest Show on Dirt". Admission is free.
Open: daily April through November, 9 am to 6 pm
The movie predicted reality: "If you build it, they will come"! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
The tiny town called St. Donatus, Iowa is called "Luxembourg in America". It is found nestled in a wooded valley in Jackson County, Iowa. It's about 15 miles south of Dubuque and 12 miles north of Bellevue. For such a small place, it has 20 sites on the National Register of Historic Places!
St. Donatus is also referred to as an :"Historic French Village" because it originally had a French name that has always been misspelled "Tete Des Morts" (which means "Heads of Death"). This name was given to the village by a French explorer in the 1600's; he did so because at this spot, he found the remains of an Indian massacre.
The inhabitants of St. Donatus have always been of Luxembourg descent. The first settler was John Noel {1838], and ten years later, there were several more Luxembourg families living here.
The tourist information says that there are 18 of the original stone structures still standing in the town today (built in the 1850's). The stucco seen on the stone structures is typical of European homes. The stucco was used to seal the mortar between the stones as well as to protect the buildings from bad weather.
Just as Luxembourg is a small coutry, St. Donatus is a small community. The people who live here are very proud of their Luxembourg heritage and still refer to St. Donatus as "Little Luxembourg in America"!
Photographs:
1. Gehlen Barn
2. Gehlen House
3. Memorial Garden
4. St. Donatus Catholic Church
5. Sign leading to Outdoor Way of the Cross Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Click to see the school house and the bridge
On the way to Muscatine, we went to Wilcat Den State Park to see The Pine Creek Grist Mill and the Melpine Schoolhouse
After an "interesting" ride on back roads, we finally arrived. It was toward the end of the school year; thus, lots of classes of grade school children were on field trips here. We "tagged" along and listed to the tour guides.
Note: I will have much more about this whole complex on my up-coming Muscatine pages.
The mill was built on Pine Creek by Benjamin Nye in 1848 [it was the third mill he had built on this location because he kept outgrowing them]. They have some of the original machinery from the 1848 mill as well as newer machinery from 1927 that was added to increase production. 1927 was also the year that the State of Iowa purchased the mill from the Missel family. At that time, it became part of Wilcat Den State Park.
In 1996, The Friends of Pine Creek Grist Mill became organized with the mission of restoring the mill to operational format and in preserving the heritage of the mill. With the help of the Dept of Natural Resources, the State Historical Society, and the community, the mill's foundation has been stabilized, the structure and dam have been repaired, and the machinery is now in working order.
The Melpine one-room rural school is usually open on Sunday afternoons from one to five o'clock beginning in June. Because of the school children and their field trip, we were fortunate to see it inside and out. [I'm doing a tip about it in my Muscatine pages].
Grist Mill is Open:
May through October
Wednesday through Sunday
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Leave a Comment Phone: 563/263-4337Other Contact: 1884 Wildcat Den Road, Muscatine
|
| | |
 Quaint Streetlights in
downtown Dyersville by deecat, 2 more photos
1. National Farm Toy Museum with 30,000 farm toys, trucks, and banks. It is a joy for serious collectors and for tourist who enjoy the unique. There is a 45-seat theater to see a 10-minute moved called, "Toys to Treasure". Highways 20 and 136. Open daily from 8 am to 6 pm at 1110 16th Avenue St. S.E., (563)875-2727.
2. "Field of Dreams" Movie Site: See the individual tip
3. Basilica of St. Francis Xavier: a 21-month interior restoration was finished in 2001. Open daily from sunup to sundown. Downtown, 104 3rd St. S.W. (563) 875-7325. See my individual tip.
4. Becker Woodcarving Museum: Located 4 miles northeast of Dyersville, it is open May through October. Call (563) 875-2087 for an appointment.
5. Dyer-Botsford Historical House & Doll Museum is the home of Dyersville's founder. It is a restored Victorian that houses a collection of over 1,000 dolls. It is open weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday & Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, May through November. Located at 331 1st Ave E. (563) 875-2414.
6.Plaza Antique Mall is home to more than 200 antique and collectibles dealers. Open daily 10 am to 5 pm. Located across from the National Farm Toy Museum. (563) 875-8945.
7. Four toy affiliated places: Evers Toy Store, Toy Collector Club of America, Toy Farmer Country Store, and Farm Toy Outlet Store and Restoration Center.
There is a Colonial Inn, a Comfort Inn, a Super 8, and an Uptown Bed and Breakfast in Dyersville. The town boasts three parks, two golf courses, a Total Fitness Rec Center, an Aquatic Center. In addition, there are 16 places to eat in Dyersville, several Service Stations, and two grocery stores. Impressive for this size of a town! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Iowa?
Read reviews about Iowa Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
At the top of the climb of The Way of the Cross, we were thrilled to find the Pieta Chapel [which is open daily]. It was built in 1885 with funds that were left by Father Flammang and was dedicated in this memory. This particular chapel was modeled after the Chapel du Bildchen in Vianden, Luxembourg.
Father served this parish starting in 1858. It's called "The Pieta Chapel" because it contains the statue of the Virgin Mary holding her dead son on her lap.
The Way of the Cross consists of 14 brick shines with 14 pictures [lithographs] that depict the 14 scenes from the day of the crucifixion of Christ.
This little chapel is just darling, and when you walk inside and see the blue walls, the Pieta, and read these lines, "Pardon the sheep and their not-so-clean habits [which you notice as you carefully walk the path]. They help keep the weeds and brush down", you just have to smile. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
St. Donatus Catholic Church began in 1848 in a log church, and the second church was completed in 1851, but the current church was built in 1858. Its interior burned in 1907, but the exterior was not. Thus, restoration was done.
This church is much as it was over 125 years ago. The Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation is also known as "Our Lady of Luxembourg who is patroness of Luxembourg. In the church, you will find her statue. There is also a St. Donatus Rectory with 14 room. It was first built in 1857 and once used as a church, a rectory, and a school room.
Behind the church is a cemetery with beautiful and unusual tombstones. It's such a beautiful location for a cemetery. Jill and I roamed around looking at all the tombstones and checking the names and the dates. Leave a Comment Phone: (319)773-2293
|
One of the reasons that I wanted to visit St. Donatus, Iowa, was to visit The Outdoor Way of the Cross".
This Way of the Cross is actually 14 brick alcoves placed in a meandering uphill fashion within lovely pines of Calvary Hill to Pieta Chapel. I've seen several "Stations of the Cross", but this one is most impressive. It's amazing what excellent condition the lithographs within each of the the brick alcoves are since they have been here since the1861.
Jill and I wondered what would be at the top of the climb. We hoped that it would be worth the climb. Once you reach the Pieta Chapel, you will see a panoramic view of the picturesque valley and the village of St. Donatus below. It was certainly worth the walk!
The Way of the Cross was built in 1861; the chapel was completed in 1885, and the St. Donatus Catholic Church was dedicated in 1860. Of course, all three of these structures are on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is a Parish Museum that is open for tours, but only by appointment. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Amana Colonies is a collection of old German settlements in the middle of Iowa. They have a great atmosphere, great family-style restaurants, and some really cute candy and antique shops:) Stop if you get a chance, there are direct exits right off Interstate 80! Leave a Comment
|
Effigy Mounds State Park is an old Native American burial ground. They have these huge funeral mounds carefully built in the shapes of animals and other objects that have been there for quite a long time. A very interesting stop on your journey, trust me! Leave a Comment
|
|
More Iowa Travel Deals Sioux City Vacations
Choose Stoney Creek for Your Stay! Brand New Hotel - Rooms from $90 Iowa Vacations?
Decorah has activites for everyone. Check us out! Accommodation Travel
Save up to 50% on hotels at Expedia No Expedia change or cancel fees! Sponsored Links
|
