About an hour from where I spend the summer in Marshalltown, sets a picturesque small rural community, Brooklyn, IA, population 1288 (2009).
In March 1848, two years after Iowa became a state, William Manatt, from Pennsylvania, followed his brother, Robert, west and purchased land in Poweshiek County for $1.25 per acre from the US Government. The following year his brother James plotted 32 lots and the town of Greenville was established with 5 homes. In 1850 the town name was changed to Brooklyn. Situated on the rolling hills between Big Bear Creek and Little Bear Creek, the young town of Brooklyn was the home of one of the earliest manufacturers of barbed wire. Today it remains predominately agricultural.
Brooklyn has earned its banner as the “Community of Flags.” In the early 1990’s, the small community was on the route of the Des Moines Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (an annual Missouri River to Mississippi River bike ride sponsored by the Des Moines Register newspaper). Most towns along the route spruce themselves up for the event, however Brooklyn produced a welcome like no other....an Avenue of Flags.
Situated on a hill overlooking Main Street is the permanently lighted display. All 50 states are represented along with the flags of the Armed Services and special interests such as the POW flag. A 20’ x 38’ US Flag flying atop an 80’ pole is the center-point of the display. Standing on the hill near the flags, turn and look down Main Street. International flags from 35 countries fly in front of the businesses. Turn back around toward the flags and you see the Manatt Mansion, a gift to the city in l963 from Coe Manatt, son of William. It is now home to the Brooklyn Historical Museum.
AND...Look what I found on my way back from Brooklyn....
No comments:
Post a Comment