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Road
Trip Report
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Well,
we're back from Swisher and we had a fabulous and productive
trip. The people of Swisher just opened their arms and scooped
us up. We were treated like old friends who had just stepped
out a hundred years ago and were just a bit tardy returning.
Even the weather was wonderful. I had been dreading the Iowa
August heat, but it was just right - in the 70's and 80's
the whole five days we were there.
My cousin Susan from Colorado
and I arrived on Wed. Aug 5th and after getting settled in
our Cedar Rapids hotel called the "Swisher Ladies"
I had been corresponding with for so many months. Mary, Jean
and Barb (the other Barb stopped by later on) met us at the
All American Grill for dinner. We were welcomed with big hugs
and big smiles. After dinner (thanks Joe!) we took a bit of
a tour around town and then went back to Jean's house to plan
our busy visit. With limited time we had lots on our agenda,
and everyone went out of their way to help us make the best
of our time there.
Our first full day and part of
the next was spent in Iowa City at the State Historical Society,
doing family research and replacing some documents that we
had poor copies of. We also ran across some nice little finds,
like Benjamin Swisher's will (or rather, lack of one. It was
interesting to find that a man with two sons who were lawyers
died intestate). |
The
"Swisher Girls" come home.
From
left: Annie Gordon, Chris Knudsen, Susan Bromley
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Friday my sister arrived and we were off to Swisher
for a sumptuous dinner at Jean's. After dinner we were interviewed
for an article in the Solon Economist. (You can see the whole
article here.)
We had made arrangements to take a look at the DanceMor
Ballroom after dinner. Debbie, the owner's daughter had
graciously agreed to come down and open it up for us. What
a great place! Built in 1929 and in continuous use since then,
it's gorgeous wood floors, booths and tables have the warm
glow of decades of happy memories. We think it will be a great
place for our opening festivities and hope to reserve it soon.
Next it was on to the Movie in the Park. There we met the
Mayor, Scott Grabe, and many many more of the townspeople.
Everyone was so kind and generous. Nearly a third of the town's
840 people turned out for "Dr. Doolittle", popcorn,
sodas and Centennial T-Shirts. Of course we bought ours and
some to take home, as well as Centennial mugs and drink coozies!
(We're in the process of providing a gateway here to purchase
these items. All proceeds go to support the Centennial celebrations.)
The lightning bugs flashed and shooting stars shone as we
sat in lawnchairs on the tennis courts and watched the movie.
What a great occasion! |
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Julie
Stamper interviews us for the
Solon Economist
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Setting up the concession stand for the
Movie in the Park
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Barb
Hoss sells Centennial goods at the Movie
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On
Saturday morning, over coffee, we had the first official
meeting of the reunion executive committee. We had a lot
of great ideas and began to pare those down into what
is workable. In Swisher we checked out the basement of
the Swisher Bank (many thanks to Daryl for giving us the
tour and all the souvenirs!). It will be a perfect spot
for the families to display photos and family memorabilia.
Then we split up and while I finished up some research
at the Historical Society, my sister and cousin began
the rigorous work of checking out hotels for the reunion.
They visited at least ten and did thorough inspections.
We're still negotiating rates and making decisions on
which ones will be the winners. We are also in the process
of negotiating a good group rate for car rental. Later
on we visited several of the cemeteries and took photos
of the many family gravestones. We also found, (thanks
to a tip from Barb) what we think is a great place to
have our Sunday brunch.
Sunday
we were off to Swisher again and with Jean's help did
some checking on caterers, photographers and other miscellaneous
details. Then we wanted to see where the old house may
have stood. There is still some doubt about its exact
location. Before we went there though, we were in for
a big surprise. Jean took us to a farm just outside of
town, where the barn has been built with materials from
Benjamin's original barn! I can't tell you what a feeling
it was to touch those old handhewn beams. (many thanks
to the Wagner family for showing us around and sharing
with us what they knew of the old homestead) Next it was
off to the old "home place". We took the photo
below, and even though we aren't yet positive that this
is the spot, I'm sure it's close.
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Possible
site of Benjamin Swisher's home "Forest Oak" |
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then it was late in the day, a storm was brewing and my sister
had to get on the road to go home. We stood by the Swisher
sign and took pictures, and said goodbye to our newfound friends
in Swisher. As we drove over the hill with Swisher receding
in the distance, the dark clouds boiling up to the south of
town, we thought it was as if the country was angry that we
were leaving, just as the family did over a hundred years
ago. We promised to return. |
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