Tag: Iowa

The Life of an Iowa Teen

Posted by Alison – November 14, 2011

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I’m not sure why, but when I think of Iowa — my Iowa, at least! — I cannot imagine a thriving pop culture scene, especially for teenagers. I guess I’m influenced by what my parents have told me; in fact, my sister was once doing a report on the ’50s and thought she might call my aunts, Janie and Patsy, who were teens in the age of rock and roll. However, because my family is from the country, my mom was quick to dispel that idea: “They weren’t into anything cool! They didn’t know about Elvis!” (Haaaa.)

So, when I saw these LIFE Magazine photos of teen life in Des Moines, Iowa in 1947, I was pleasantly surprised to see cute sweater sets, co-ed mingling (in cars!), slumber parties and even spin the bottle. (Granted, Des Moines is “the city” in Iowa, so, there ya go.) I stand corrected! That soda shop is bumpin’.

And I’m always enamored of any teen girl with glasses — wear ‘em proud! — and the girl with all the bracelets is just so cute and fashionable. Love her.

[Via LIFE Archive]

An Iowa Storefront

Posted by Alison – December 19, 2010


JB and I just burned through all three seasons of Deadwood. I didn’t know if I could get down with a western, but I seriously loved it! (I ended up covering my head with a blanket during some of the more grisly moments, but the incredible characters and actors make up for the violence. Quite Shakespearean, Deadwood.) With that in mind, this undated cabinet photo from Waverly, Iowa looks pretty familiar! The ‘staches, the dirt “thoroughfare,” the dudes in windows and the many small businesses are oddly reminiscent of the show — or, you know, the other way around. (“Chicken or the egg,” and all that.) I’m captivated.

Available here.

[Via]

Vacation!

Posted by Alison – September 1, 2010

At long last, JB and I are headed to sweet Ioway to visit my family and celebrate my mom’s marriage. It’ll be a little quiet around these parts, but I’ll be sure to update with photos when we return! We’re staying at a totally kitschy motel (that may be a total hole in the wall), so I’m hoping to do a Nan Goldin-isnpired photo shoot. We shall see!

Dear Diary

Posted by Alison – July 18, 2010

I spent many a harried, tweaking night at the University of Iowa Library in my college days. Though I love libraries with all my being, I never truly appreciated the U of I stacks and reading rooms — probably because I was always too freaked out about making a deadline or studying for an exam while I was there. However, the brilliant Kelly of Nothing is New (one of my favorite blogs) turned me on to the Iowa Digital Library in the course of her Archive Road Trip, whereupon she trawls the nation’s digital archives, state by state.

After poking around the Digital Library — of which there is an abundance of cool stuff, and I’ll be posting much more! — I came across (and was blown away by) their collection of historic Iowa children’s diaries. These tomes originated with early settler children — teenagers, actually — of the 1850s through the early 20th century. The best part is that some have been transcribed and biographies of the kids are provided. I kind of fell in love with the pages of the last diary shown above, mostly because of the doodles, kept by 14 year old Linnie Hagerman (1852-1934), of Keokuk, Iowa. (Check out that handwriting! Gorgeously messy.) Born in Missouri in 1852, Linnie moved with her family to Keokuk at age 10, and remained there for the rest of her life. She began drawing by doodling in her diary, and later became an artist, creating many oil paintings during the 1880s.

More…

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