To see this marvelous rest area travel East on I80 in Iowa. It is on the eastbound side about 15 miles before Walcott in Eastern Iowa. To continue the "theme" the sidewalk into the rest area is layed like railroad tracks, and post line the parking area with railroad type laterns.
They also have a 2 sided plaque explaining the story of quilts and the undergound railway and on the other side the meaning of the blocks.
Inside on the floor they have a "map" of places that were part of the railway, and on the wall by the women's bathroom is a wall quilt sampler of the blocks.
Back outside notice the needle and thread that winds around the building.
Each little picnic table shelter has a quilt block on it and then a plaque for the stops on the railway.
12 comments from wonderful readers:
I LOVE that needle and thread in the brickwork. What a gorgeous rest stop. I wonder if they included any mention of how the whole quilt/underground railroad thing is not proven... Gorgeous girls too. Love that "hello block" in the pavement too.
Spine-tingling stuff Dawn. Did you read 'March' by Geraldine Brooks? All about the civil war and the underground railway...not much about quilting though!
I was facinated by the gorgeous rest stop! A little history lesson tied with needle and thread- even if there is much talk as to the validity of the Underground Railroad quilts. I chose to think there was some kind of code! thanks for sharing...and enjoy the quiet- some days it is deafening, but all in all very very nice- you still have Em and the pup, so true empty nest is a bit away- and you'll get to really enjoy Chloe when it hits for real LOL!! Glad you got some down time
Wow, Dawn, thanks so much for telling about and showing the rest stop. How fantastic! I printed off your directions. DH and I love little short trips and that would be a great one.
Beautiful photos! I've always been fascinated by the history of the underground railroad. Thanks for sharing!!
What an amazing place. I like to believe that the stories were true. The saying "No smoke without fire" comes to mind.
That is a very neat place. I just found the books by Jennifer C... and am reading the one about the underground railroad and quilts.
Fascinating and beautiful photos. I like to think it was all true, but unfortunately for quilt history it is not proven.
How cool, I may have to drive to Iowa some day!
What a wonderful place for the weary traveler to stop, shake off some of the dust from the road, and learn something new. Thanks for sharing it . . . wish we had such nice stops *s*
Darn it! I was just on that stretch of highway a few weeks ago. I sure wish I'd known about that rest area -- I would have loved to see it! Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing rest stop. I hope to visit it someday.
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