Unique Places in Iowa

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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.

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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

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If you are looking for a small town that is friendly, progressive, & surrounded by beautiful countryside, then Dyersville, Iowa is the place to see. For a town of just 4,000 people, it offers a good deal to see and do.

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!

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Because I had read that the small town of Dyersville, Iowa, was one of only 52 Basilicas in the United States, I knew I wanted to see it. We were going to Dyersville anyway to see the famed "Field of Dreams". It was a Sunday in late May of 2007, and the weather was perfect...sunny and in the 70s.

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!

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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"!

I think this picture sums up a lot of Iowa. It isn't loud or flashy, but it is pleasant. It isn't magnificent, but it does catch the eye. Driving through dubuque is really dull, not much is open, not many people on the street. This isn't so much a city as a large town, but it struck me as a pleasant place to live, or visit. You won't find a lot of culture or restaurants sporting the "authentic" label, but it is a nice ton, populated by nice people, and it isn't the sticks.

Iowa is off the beaten path. So I'm afriad I don't have any great words of wisdom in terms of what to see. I've heard Iowa City is a great college town. Quad Cities, when not flooded, is supposed to feature some interesting Mississippi River views. I've heard good things about Dubuque (and the Dukes therein). And of course, there's Des Moines. Someday, I might venture into more of the Iowa countryside -- when I do, look for it right here!

the cuisine of iowa is fairly straightforward. none of that foreign tucker..steak, potato, lettuce and butter and mayonnaise. beer. please dont ask for wine. weak coffee. while country music plays and sweet syrupy girls who say Hiiiiii..