Scenic Byways of Iowa, June 12, 2007

Bypass traffic and experience a “scenic” change of pace by traveling along Iowa’s scenic byways. Iowa’s eight state-designated and two nationally-designated scenic byways are a great way to experience Iowa’s natural beauty, history and culture. Stop to smell the wildflowers or listen to the songbirds, or follow an impulse to take a side trip to one of the many attractions and countryside hamlets. A camera is a must for these postcard-perfect vistas. You never know when you will encounter a bald eagle along the Mississippi River, rare plants and animals in the Loess Hills, or the exceptional architecture of unique barns, churches and other buildings along the routes. This brochure identifies each scenic byway route and the approximate mileage in terms of hard-surfaced and gravel roadways. Estimated driving time ranges from one and one-half hour to three and one-half hours, depending on your speed and the number of stops. These routes are offered for those of you who want to relax and stop often to enjoy the sights.

Iowa Historic Property Study of the Zeman Barn, 2009

The Zeman Barn (86-00028) is an early twentieth-century example of a gothic roofed barn and is part of the Zeman Farmstead located along U.S. Highway 30 in Otter Creek Township (Township 38N, Range 14W), Tama County, Iowa (Figures 1 and 2). The farmstead was initially evaluated in a reconnaissance architectural survey conducted in 1998 by The Louis Berger Group, Inc (Berger). An intensive architectural survey of the property by Berger’s Principal Architectural Historian, Martha H. Bowers, evaluated the farmstead as not being eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) but noted that the barn appears to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C (Bowers 1998). At the request of the Iowa Department of Transportation, Berger completed the recordation project to provide a documentary record of the Zeman Barn in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office regarding historic property studies for barns. Background research for this project was conducted in September 2008 and April 2009. The property was inspected and photographed in May 2008. Information on the property was gathered through background research, interviews with Zeman family members, field investigation, and photo documentation. Historical maps of the project area were used to collect data necessary for developing regional and local historic contexts. The research for this report was conducted at the Tama County Courthouse and the Tama County Historical Museum Genealogical Library, both in Toledo. Much of the background research for the project was conducted by Camilla Deiber and Michael Dulle. Ms. Deiber also prepared the photographic documentation, plan drawings, and the graphics used in this report. Mr. Roger L. Ciuffo conducted interviews with Zeman family members and wrote this report.