June, 2011 Trip to the Midwest from Kansas to Kalamazoo - Muscatine, Iowa

Welcome

Muscatine, Iowa remains a favorite city of mine.

Turn Here
But before we get there,  we need to hang a left at this gas station and visit the swinging bridge.

Louisa Swinging Bridge


Louisa Swinging Bridge

It is an interesting bridge.

Louisa Swinging Bridge

After all these years it still looks reasonably safe!

Louisa Swinging Bridge

It looks well constructed.

Louisa Swinging Bridge

Kids have a lot of fun bouncing on the bridge.



Button Museum

A new stop this year was the Muscatine History and Industry Center to see the fabled
Button Museum

Pearl Buttons

Muscatine was the Pear Button Capitol of the world.

Button Factory

Button factory mural in downtown Muscatine.

Button Holes

Buttons were drilled out from oyster shells.

Button Machine

Early button drilling machine.

Button Driller

I never would have thought buttons were such a big deal.  If however, the zipper hadn't yet
been invented.....

Buttons

Lathe

How about that!  An early Lathe!

Buttons

Pearl Buttons were in high demand.

Strike

And of course the unions stepped in at one point..

Buttons


Button examples

Button blanks

Button Boxes

Boxes of buttons.

Button Boxes

Oyster Display

Pearl Oysters from one month to one year old.

Button Hat

Buttons

Buttons

Buttons

Buttons

Checkout

Button memorabilia

Buttons

There are literally thousands of buttons on site.  The museum is worth a visit and it's free!

Donations however, are gratefully accepted.



Downtown Muscatine

Downtown Muscatine

Downtown Muscatine looks a bit nicer than the last time I was here.

Dow
Downtown Muscatine

I like these older banks.

Downtown Muscatine

Downtown Muscatine

Downtown Muscatine

An interesting way to provide your own personal shade.

A new addition.

Downtown Muscatine does have one new notable addition.



Mark Twain Overlook

The Mark Twain Overlook is well worth spending a few minutes at.

Mark Twain Overlook

River Bridge

The River

It provides a nice view of the river..........

Rat

Rat

Big hairy rats,

Downtown

and Downtown.


River Park

River Park

The river park was kind of cool, cloudy and windy this time around.

River Park

River Park

River Park

River Park

Oyster Rakes

Flood

I think the flooding this year (2011) is going to pale in comparison to the 1993 flood.

Wine

The 2009 Mont Pellier Cab was an excellent wine and a nice way to finish the day.