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(Sentinel Photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Austin Schneider (left) and Seth Varner followed the route shown on the map, coming south from Sergeant Bluff and traveling north to visit towns in the northwest corner of the state before starting their run finished in Sioux City. The two students from the University of Nebraska – Omaha plan to visit the 939 incorporated cities of the state. The duo stand in front of the Plymouth County courthouse as part of their visit to Le Mars. It was one of many stops that included Archie’s, the Plymouth County Fairgrounds, Bob’s Drive Inn, Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor, and more.
PLYMOUTH CO. ?? Two college students from Nebraska are on a mission this summer to visit all 939 incorporated cities in Iowa.
Seth Varner and Austin Schneider are currently students at the University of Nebraska – Omaha and are from Wahoo, Nebraska.
In the summer of 2020, the two set off to visit all 531 incorporated cities in the state of Nebraska and achieve that goal.
This summer’s challenge is greater as they decided to add Iowa to their list.
?? There are over 400 more cities than Nebraska, ?? said Varner. ?? It’s going to be a busy summer. We started on April 2nd of this year and hope to be ready by the end of August or September.
From June 3-5, the pair made a loop through the counties of northwest Iowa: Woodbury, Plymouth, Sioux, O ?? Brien, Osceola and Lyon and visited 46 cities.
They said they found highlights in every church, small or large.
Her first stop in Plymouth County was Kingsley.
?? The big thing was Freedom Rock because we all do 95 Freedom Rocks, ?? said Schneider.
?? We also met a couple from Kuchel Roof who had reached out to us. You gave us a shirt and a ball cap from your shop, ?? he added.
In Remsen, the two stopped at the Catholic Church of St. Marien.
?? This is a very beautiful church. We could see the church tower for miles outside of town, ?? said Varner. ?? Of course it was open so we could look inside. We have some great pictures.
In Oyens they found the Church of St. Catherine and the cemetery.
?? It was a smaller town and I was surprised that there was a church there ?? said Schneider. ?? In our travels we have seen some churches that have been turned into apartments. ??
From there they traveled to Le Mars, where they went to the Plymouth County Courthouse before having lunch at taverns and step dogs at Bob’s Drive-Inn.
?? You were really good, ?? said Varner.
The two also enjoyed a visit to the Wells Visitors Center and Ice Cream Parlor.
?? It was cool to see how it all started and came. That was a highlight of Le Mars. Of course we had to try the ice cream while we were there of course ??? Schneider added.
During their time, they also found the numerous murals in Le Mars and enjoyed the architecture of the city center.
In Craig they found the external post office with mailboxes under one roof.
?? There is a really nice looking playground in Craig, ?? said Schneider. “For such a small town, it’s pretty impressive that new things are being built here for the community to enjoy.”
Brunsville’s story caught their eye when they found the original prison.
?? We read the badge on it. I think that was really funny that the original people who built the prison were actually the first people to stay in prison and they got the block out and got off. Nice little story, ?? said Schneider.
The veterans memorial, the church and the Corner Cafe were named as further highlights.
Struble was one of the smaller towns on their route with 78 inhabitants.
?? We found out that General Jack Nicholson and Jim Nicholson grew up there ?? said Schneider. While they were stopping at St. Joseph’s Church, they could not go inside.
I got a cool picture of the railroad and an old sign he added.
From Struble they ventured on to Akron while there they were given a guided tour of the Ye Old Opera House, which is used for local theater and dance events.
?? We also went to Westfield and spoke to the Mayor there ?? said Varner.
It was also in Westfield that they found the Loess Hills Visitor Center and took their picture at City Hall.
?? Lots of people have spoken about how good the Hummer’s Roadhouse bar is ?? he went on.
Next on their hike was Hinton, where they were impressed with the new elementary school they thought must be high school.
?? They have a really cool school complex, ?? said Varner. There is also a really cool mural on the side of the post.
Your visit to Merrill, ?? The Heart of Plymouth County ?? gave them a chance to see even more murals and history.
?? We found the veterinary memorial, a couple of churches, ?? said Schneider. ?? Seth thought the Expresso Yourself mural was really cute. It’s on the coffee business side.
Varner and Schneider said they learned a lot from their adventures.
?? People just really support us when they figure out what we are doing. You think it’s actually the coolest thing ever, ??? said Schneider.
He went on to say that when they talk to one person, another person hears it and also wants to know more about their travels.
“It’s a good spotlight that we’re showing what some of these cities have. It’s great for people in the community to see ??? said Schneider.
?? Our whole thing is to prove that there is something to be done in every single city ?? said Varner. Some of these towns, all together, may only have 15 people, but you will find something to do, there may be a city park to play with, if there are any buildings there is still history to tell. Everyone from this city will be happy to tell you their story.
?? It’s really cool for us to just give people a chance to talk about their communities ?? said Varner.
Every visit to the city is saved on their Facebook page Visit939Iowa.
?? Even in our comment section on Facebook people tag old classmates and stuff and say, ?? Oh, that’s where I went to school ?? or ?? I was baptized in this church. ?? So it’s very special for us to connect people in communities, like something as simple as taking pictures and sharing on our Facebook page, ?? said Varner.
Varner and Schneider said the tour would be something for them all summer.
?? It is better than staying in Omaha and working all summer? said Varner. The tour is an opportunity to travel and explore, sample good food here and there, and learn a few things. There are so many different things you can do with it.
As of June 6, the two had visited 327 cities, about 35 percent of their 939 list.
They are planning extended trips to Eastern Iowa in the coming months.
?? We keep an eye out for the courthouses, Freedom Rocks, historical landmarks, eat at bars and local stops, ?? said Varner.
Their message is the same in every church: in every city, big or small, there is something to do.
?? Even if it’s just a bar, it probably has a dart board and people stop to talk ?? said Schneider. From time to time we even ride a carousel or slide down a slide.
Their visits are all about communities and what they have to offer.
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