It's Day 485...it's also September 2, 2020...and we are in Craig Iowa

It's Day 485...it's also September 2, 2020...and we are in Craig Iowa....

Maybe it's the narcissist in me...but whenever I see my name on a map... or a road sign... I have to go check it out. So, when I stumbled upon a town in Iowa named Craig,...we'd make the drive...and while sitting under the shade of an oak tree along a small city park.... I remembered wondering just how many towns are there....that share my name. And learning that there are 14 in the United States, one in Trinidad, and one in Guyana.

I still had that list.....the one I'd made a few stops back....after our time in Craig Montana....the place where this whole "Craig"...thing ..... ya know....me....began.

And Craig Iowa...checks off number 3...on the list of Craig's. Joining Craig Colorado...and Craig Montana....

And this Craig.....it's every inch what you would expect a town of around 75 people in the middle of Iowa's great plains to be—a farming community...thru and thru...

The story leading up to the founding of Craig here in Iowa...not a whole lot different that than of any other town in the country....Here....Sioux people....the Sauk and Meskwaki... would have the fertile soils and all those bison to themselves for centuries....maybe...for even a little longer up here....than some areas not so far away....

Some French Explorers would pass thru beginning in the 1600's....and the area did become part of the US with the the BlackHawk Purchase in the 1830's.....

Even still.....settlement wouldn't come to this area until after the turn of the century...

Incorporated on April 26, 1911, the town was named in honor of Wright Craig, a prominent attorney from neighboring town of Sioux City.

The first two establishments were the Farmers Grain Elevator and the Lutheran Church, both still standing today, over a century later. Over the years, businesses have come and gone with little fluctuation in population. At its core, it always has been, and likely always will be, a tight-knit community of farmers and ranchers, marking the midpoint between Le Mars and Sioux City. And from what I could tell, they are quite content being just that.

The arrival of the railroad was another pivotal moment in Craig's history....another story mirroring the past of so many American towns.....Railroads..... connecting remote towns to larger markets, giving those young farmers access to the people were...and the money was...quite literally...access to the rest of the country....while still enjoying their quiet life....out here on the plains.

In its early days, Craig was a busy little spot...The Farmers Grain Elevator became a focal point for the community, symbolizing the town's agricultural backbone. The Lutheran Church served as a spiritual and social center, hosting events that brought residents together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Throughout the 20th century, Craig experienced the ebbs and flows typical of small American towns. The Great Depression brought it's challenges, but the community's resilience saw it through. Post-World War II, there was a brief period of growth....looks like the 1940's would see Craig's population rise to an all time high of 165...but like many rural towns, Craig faced population decline as younger generations moved on....to those urban areas in search of different opportunities.

Economically, The town has never strayed....from its agricultural roots. The vast fields surrounding the town are primarily dedicated to corn and soybean cultivation, staples of Iowa's economy. Livestock farming also plays a role, with cattle and hogs being common sights on local farms. While the global economy has introduced challenges, such as fluctuating commodity prices and the need for technological advancements in farming...the community here has adapted, embracing modern farming techniques while preserving traditional values.

Pretty sure I saw a perfect example of this....while out for a walk with Dougie....and we passed the Craig Farmers Coop...

An agricultural cooperative serving the area's farmers from right here in Craig. Looks like the co-op helps all the farmers in the region....corn, soybean, cattle swine...and more...pool their resources and work together to help ensure the success of all. The Craig Farmers Co-op has helped the local farmers save millions each year by centralizing activity and cost here in the co-op.

Their not playing around either....when it comes to their equipment. A recent purchase of Walinga HOAG...High output Augur feed trucks...continues their commitment to keeping systems up to date...and increasing efficiencies throughout the co-op.

These trucks were cool looking too.....probably the fact that they had my name plastered on the side of them that took me from not even knowing what a feed truck was....to learning that these bad boys with their high capacity system of multiple augers...are capable of unloading up to 7,000 lbs/min of that precious cargo. All done remote control....your choice of an omnix remote control...or touch screen Android Tablet. All managed by a precision GPS system to aid in bin location and delivery.

And get this....The EVolution trailer feature offers an all-electric drive eliminating the need for hydraulic heat management issues and hydraulic fluids all together....proving yet again...that these trucks ship directly from their manufacturer in Canada...not only to Craig....but all across America's farmland...with an eye on the future.

The town's small businesses have also been integral to its economy. Over the years, establishments like the Craig Mercantile Store have served as essential providers of goods and social hubs for residents.

In April 1923...Craig....just like so many places we've seen....would have it's own brush with fire....and nearly lost the Mercantile ... but thankfully...it was saved.

Today, Craig may not boast the busy streets or tons of businesses....But it feels like they've found just the right balance....of community....simplicity....and history. It's obvious...that in choosing to live here....folks have chosen to hold onto the legacy of those that built what they have today....and take pride in doing so by investing in the future. And signs and notices here and there....hint at the fact that once this pandemic is over ..... the normal town activities ranging from pic nics to weddings will pick up right where they left off.

We did see some signs of life...

a group of kids joined us at the park...they'd come from one of those streets we'd driven down before we found the park....just across the street from the Craig Savings Bank.

They made a bee line for Dougie....who couldn't have been happier...enjoying the pats on the head and attention from a group of 10 year olds....before watching them head off across the park for their next adventure.....

And then when a curious gentleman pulled up alongside us....rollin down his window...pointing at our plates and askin....where in Washington? Tacoma....I answered. We chatted for a bit about our adventure.....and learned that he was from Craig himself....but had spent over 20 years in Washington....Bothell area I think he said...and how he had recently returned home to Craig to help his mom out....He essentially confirmed for us....without even knowing it....that our observations of this place had been spot on....

In a world that's constantly changing, Craig stands here quietly...as proof...that the enduring values of hard work, community, and a deep connection to the land...are alive and well. It's a place where everyone knows each other, where the successes of one are celebrated by all, and where challenges are met with a collective plan of attack.

So, while it may have been the narcissist in me that led me to Craig, Iowa, what I discovered was a community that embodies the heart and soul of rural America—a town that, despite its size, offers profound lessons in resilience, unity, and the enduring power of tradition.

We'd polish off Lunch under that oak tree...along side that park in Craig....while studying the map and asking the internet a few more questions....

As I swiped through the photo's i'd taken earlier in the day...I remembered the quick stop we'd made alongside another park...in a place called Le Mays Iowa....Just needed to let Dougie out for a run ... only spent an hour or so there before heading out...

Had no idea....of the history that we had spent only an hour...in the middle of....

Founded in 1869, Le Mars.... owes its name to a pretty random series of events when a group of ladies.... accompanying the railroad tycoon.... John I. Blair suggested the town's name by combining the initials of their first names.

Then this newly named place...called Le Mars... quickly distinguished itself from neighboring towns. In the late 19th century, it became home to a unique English colony, attracting over a thousand settlers that came from England....and wanted to learn American farming techniques. The sudden growth resulted in multiple churches...and businesses that solidified British heritage in the town.

In 1925...a guy named Fred H. Wells Jr. and his sons began producing ice cream in Le Mars...they would sell off the first business.....and start another in1935...and that ice cream business would go on to become the now-famous "Blue Bunny" brand.....the company produces millions of gallons of the sweet stuff annually....and given Le Mars...the nickname.....Ice Cream Capital of the world.....I guess that explains the massive Ice Cream Cone Sculpture we were parked along side earlier today.

And During the Great Depression...Le Mars found itself in the national headlines.... when hundreds of farmers protested foreclosures...and confronted a local judge in a dramatic courtroom episode....

And there was more....it was all starting like....even though some 10,000 or so folks call the town home today.....odd's are pretty good.... things are a lot simpler....and quieter....than they were....over a century ago.....and all that....just 19 miles behind us.

And back to studying the map...

Looks like just 16 miles up the road....we'll find a place called Akron Iowa....population ... around 1500. Internet says we'll find The Akron City Park there. Full RV hook ups and on site dump station...not to mention a pool...shower facilities...and pavillion....all for 10 bucks a night.

I wonder what we'll learn there...