Now and Then: Prairie Ridge School Near Ely, Iowa

Between Cedar Rapids and Ely, Iowa fields of corn and soybeans stretch for miles. At a particular farm property on Spanish Road the remains of Prairie Ridge School, a one room schoolhouse still stands. The building was relocated on the farm and may have been originally located just yards from its present location. The top photo is courtesy of the elyiowa.com website which I found via a detail rich schoolhouse website.

Compare this photo taken today to the 1910 photo above. Visible in both are the boys and girls separate entrances, the lattice work, the double windows and much of the original shape. The school bell tower has collapsed. Note the newer foundation on limestone.

A view inside the school room looking towards the boys and girls entrance. The floor is covered in debris and the walls are stripped of anything that would indicate that this was a school room.

A view to the left of the previous photo.

A view of the left hand entrance lattice work. I don't know the style of the school house in architectural terms but its' simple design includes a few accents like these vertical bars.

Another view of that same entrance. I don't know if that saw-like metal is associated with the school or part of the general out buildings in the immediate area.

How many times was this door opened and closed during the school's active years? This hardware is located on the left hand side entrance.

A view looking through four window frames on one side of the building to reveal the other set of four windows. These frames form the word, "HI."

The final photo is a look from the back of the building from the 1910 photo. The windows on the right are the one's featured in the previous photo. Looks like at one point a hanging door was added (not there anymore) on a roller hinge as well as a garage door. New home owners are moving into the farmhouse property. Perhaps they will have some restoration plans for the 100 year old plus Prairie Ridge School.

Restoring Minneapolis Moline Tractors

Each year a group of Minneapolis Moline enthusiasts meet to exchange stories and parade their yellow tractors in area events. "Restoring tractors is half the fun of owning one," a guy on this tractor told me. He was trying to replace the steering wheel. His son grew impatient holding the wheel while his dad tried to unhinge the bolts.

When assembled and painted the restored farm tractors look like they did in 1929 and ending in the 1960s when they rolled off assembly lines. More examples of restored Minneapolis Moline tractors can be seen annually at the Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. From the grandstand and parade grounds you can experience a wide variety of American made tractor brands spanning steam to diesel power. This year the event is August 30th through September 3rd.

Psst, Hey Buddy. Do Ya Wanna Buy a Model A?

So you want to get into the old car restoration business? Here's your chance. A 1929 Model A frame and a few parts for only $6250.  Cheap right? Think again. You have to sink in a bunch to upgrade the frame, refurbish the engine and re-do the interior. You may be dishing out wads of sawbacks to get that authentic late 1920s look on the road.

Its a dream a lot of people have. Buy a car in sore need of restoration and then spend years getting the auto ready for summer parades and display. The quickest way of course is to buy a restored Model A and just maintain it until something else catches your eye - like a 1955 Chevy. Know that.