09/04/2026
Happy Fun Fact Friday: Today it’s a brief history of US Highway 18 and an overview. Since we are a little partial to Iowa, my focus will be on the highways run through our state. The road became a US highway in 1926 and runs 304 miles across Iowa through many turns and combinations with other routes for a mile or two, starting its Iowa journey a few miles west of Inwood on the Big Sioux River to Marquette along the banks of the mighty Mississippi. You will find many quaint towns along the highway and numerous miles of corn and soybean fields. A few highlights along the highway, within a short detour from the road, will be first our great establishment, Yesterday’s Memories Truck Museum in Sanborn, and most of you have heard of this place through our many posts. Now a short list of several highlights and if I included everything, I’d be writing a book and would lose your attention quickly! Check out the following; The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, German POW camp in Algona, National Hobo Museum in Britt, Clear Lake Surf Ball Room, Northwest Steak House in Mason City, and finally Effigy Mounds National Park alongside the Mississippi. So much to see, seems worthy of a road trip!!! Why can’t highway 18 be as popular as Route 66 and the Blue Ridge Parkway? Seems like a trend that we are more than willing to promote here in Sanborn. Have a great Labor Day weekend all.
