January 2024 Iowa Fun Facts

It is located at Swinging Bridge Park in Columbus Junction. The original bridge was constructed in 1886 of barrel staves and wire, but stilts were soon added because the bridge rocked too much. The bridge was condemned in 1902 due to safety concerns, but in 1904 a new, longer bridge was constructed. It measured 160 feet and was functional until 1920 when it snapped with 2 people on it who luckily survived. In 1922 an even longer bridge at 262 feet was constructed which had some cables and planking replaced in 1954, but other than that is pretty much the same today.

West Bend, Iowa has the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption which Father Paul Dobberstein, a German Immigrant, built as a promise to the Virgin Mary when she interceded and saved his file after he became critically ill. He began stockpiling rocks and precious stones around 1900 and in 1912 started construction which continued for 42 years. The grotto covers an entire city block, it is often called “The Eighth Wonder of the World” and it is believed that the previous stones are alone are worth more than $8 million.

At the Palo Atlo County Courthouse Square in Emmetsburg, you will find a chunk of the lucky castle’s rock which arrived in March of 1965 when the town convinced its sister city of Dublin, Ireland to send it over. Legend has it that if you kiss it that you will be granted the gift of eloquence.