Punk rock in Iowa
When I started my radio show “Iowa Basement Tapes” in July of 2018, I set out to research and preserve Iowa’s punk rock and counterculture history. Over the last four [...]
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Posted August 03, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Posted July 06, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
KRNT Theater
I am forever a student when I hear stories about Des Moines’ music history. The majority of my passions stands with the state’s punk rock scene, but I enjoy more [...]
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Posted June 01, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Art in the Park in 1991
It’s bittersweet to write this piece on the event that would eventually become the Des Moines Arts Festival (DMAF). Since 2011, I had been involved with DMAF and its Interrobang [...]
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Posted May 04, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Video Warehouse
A year and half ago, we lost an important piece of Des Moines’ cinema lovers’ history, Video Warehouse. Many stories have been told about the place since its closing was [...]
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Posted April 06, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Duck and cover
On the morning of March 23 at 10 a.m., many Iowa communities held a statewide test of their tornado sirens. This was different from the usual Saturday noon test, or [...]
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Posted March 02, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
The Willkie House of Des Moines
The Willkie House of Des Moines is not forgotten. It’s actually still very active. But some of its history at 900 17th St. may not be recognized as it should [...]
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Posted February 02, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
White Water University
As a child, I would go to Wacky Waters Adventure Park between Davenport and Walcott. When I was 9 years old, a wave pool was installed. If you wanted to [...]
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Posted January 05, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
Bowling in Des Moines
As a child, my father would drag me to Town and Country Bowling and Cocktail Lounge in Rock Island, Illinois. I remember a giant Chief Black Hawk sign in front [...]
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Posted December 01, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
When Wooly’s was a Woolworth’s store
On Oct. 19, 1950, Woolworth’s had its grand opening at 504-508 E. Locust. For the last 10 years, I thought variety stores were a front for some type of shady [...]
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Posted November 03, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
Remembering pies from Bontels
Former East 14th Street restaurant and bakery brings back great memories for people, especially at Thanksgiving time. As a former employee of Bishops Buffet in Cedar Rapids in both [...]
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