Fall Is Here

We served today in the Cultural Hall. It was a slow day with only four groups of people coming to see the Hall. It was interesting to study the script for the tours. Construction on the Hall began in 1842 and was completed in 1844. It was used less that two years before the Saints left for the west. It was used for concerts, plays, banquets, business and church meetings, storage of grain, school, funerals and a doctor's office. During the fall and winter of 1845-46 the first floor was used as a wagon box building factory as the Saints were preparing to leave Nauvoo. Over 100 wagon boxes were made for the covered wagons. The church was not able to sell the building before they left Nauvoo. In 1851 it was sold at the Hancock County Sheriff's auction for $4.47!

The church bought it back in 1967 (and not for $4.47!!) and in 1982 reconstructed it to look like it did originally.

The Saints sacrificed much to build their homes, the temple and this hall for culture, entertainment and education.

The Cultural Hall

We headed out on Saturday and went to a small town in Iowa called Winterset. There are several covered bridges built in the 1800's in the area. The bridges are known as the Covered Bridges of Madison County. Some of you who are our age might remember the movie, "The Bridges of Madison County". The movie was filmed in this area. We were hoping to see a lot of fall colors but we seemed to be too late in some areas and too early in others! It was a fun day even though we spent 7 hours in the car! This is John Wayne's childhood home in Winterset, Iowa. We weren't impressed enough to pay the $6 to go inside!

A bell tower was at the end of a windy, hilly road in the Winterset City Park. There was a fantastic view of the surrounding area from the top of the tower.

A view from the bell tower.

This was my favorite bridge. It is the Cutler/Donahoe Bridge built in 1870. It has been moved to the Winterset City Park and restored. The park was gorgeous. It was filled with lots of trees in full fall colors!