Rock Island Railroad Ends as Bid War Weighs
A long history of expansion and decline ends with the Rock Island line facing bankruptcy, government loans denied, and an ICC order to operate under subsidies until sale to the highest bidder. The 1979 closure foresees sale to bidders as the final chapter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Denver
Iowa
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Kansas City
Rock
The
Rock Island
Golden State
Chicago
California
Omaha
Davenport
Des Moines
University of Iowa
Iowa City
Mississippi
Cedar Rapids
Union Pacific
Midwest
Congress
Western
Federal Railroad Administration
North Western Railway
ICC
Kansas City Terminal Co
Lonnie Donegan
Leadbelly
Trains through West Liberty defined daily life and pride
West Liberty depended on 24 passenger trains daily with the Globe Cafe hub. Locals recall shops, <Globe> counter crowds, and teens working at the Garrison plant. The Rock Island shutdown threatens nearby firms from Heinz to Procter & Gamble and risks deterring new industry without rail service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Liberty
Globe Cafe
Elmer Merredith
Merredith
Globe
Garrison
Vinton
Marie Hamilton
Garrison Canning Co
Jay Moody
Rock
Iowa City
H.J. Heinz Customer Service Center
Sheilor-Globe Corp
Procter & Gamble
H.P. Smith Paper
Moore Business Forms
Protein Blenders
Allied Mills
FS Services
Rock Island
Keith Kafer
Kafer
Crandie
Washington
The
Cedar Rapids
Belle Plaine leader defends town amid police turmoil
Fastern Iowa byways columnist Don Magdefrau of the Belle Plaine Union says nothing is wrong with Belle Plaine despite police department turmoil. He notes local achievements including Bob Vilek reaching state wrestling, 30 honor roll students, and Lamb's Home Heating opening a new building. Separately, Clayton County Register shifts to a compact tabloid format after more than a century as a broadsheet.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Don Magdefrau
Belle Plaine
Bob Vilek
Belle Plaine High School
Bill Hernik
Lamb
Magdefrau
Eleader
Clayton County Register
The
Register
Bad day quotes and notable interviews in small papers
The Deep River column lists humorous signs of a bad day including a blind-date ex wife and a drunken misstep. Decorah Journal reprints Oslo Aftenposten interview with Jan and Warren Berg about King Olaf V honors for Luther College work. Parnell will be featured on WHO radio April 13 in the Iowa The Beautiful Land series.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Deep River Record
Hell’s Angel
Jan and
Warren Berg
Decorah
Oslo
Olaf V
St. Olaf
Luther College
Scandinavian Institute
Parnell
Iowa County
WHO
Iowa
Also Mentioned on This Page
Rock's
C.R
State Capitol
Iowa Byways
Decorah Journal
Oslo Aftenposten
Norway
American Federal
American Federal Savings and Loan Association
3Rd Ave
First St
Edgewood Road
Westdale Mall
Lower Muscatine Rd
E. Washington
Ankeny
Clinton
Newton
West Des Moines
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