Manning Memorial Wall
Flag flying August 21, 2003

Featuring over 1000 Manning & Manning area Veteran's names.
With mosaics and etchings created by Clint Hansen of Audubon, IA.
Located on the corner of Main Street & First Street.

On the north edge of Manning is a very large Trestle. This unique bridge is still in use and once carried 2 tracks for passenger trains. It crosses the Nishnabotna river and many years ago crossed two other railroads, the Great Western and the North Western.
"The Great Umbrella Ride"

Harold Reinke and Herbert "Hoopy" Hoover decided one day to parachute off of the trestle.
Harold used a tractor umbrella and Hoopy used his mother's umbrella

Hoopy jumped and his umbrella inverted and down he went.

Harold jumped with his more sturdy tractor umbrella and about half way down his umbrella inverted and down he went.
At the bottom were piles of sand that they were jumping into but even with the sand both Hoopy & Harold landed with a thud.

So ends "The Great Umbrella Ride" and fortunately these two youths were able to walk away with only their pride a little hurt.

"The Great Bike Ride"

One day Don Petersen and some friends decided to ride a bike across the top of the bridge beams on the trestle. Don got part way across and some of the kids yelled that the cops were coming and so ended the Great Bike Ride.
Don is a brother to Elaine (Petersen) Reinke and they are the children of Olivia Petersen.

In 1976 the "Freedom Train" which toured the U.S during the Bi-Centennial crossed this trestle.

This bridge was protected by the Iowa National Guard during WWII because of fears that the Japanese or Germans would attempt to blow it up.

In 1969 a saboteur used dynamite to derail the passenger train hoping that it would careen into the Nishnabotna river below (fortunately the train came to a safe stop but not until it derailed).
Manning is generally a quiet community but it does have its moments of excitement too!
(for more information on the railroads)

 


Just south of the Trestle is the Dedham Coop -
formerly the Manning Agriculture Center.

The original part of the mill was once owned by R.H. Doud, uncle of Mamie (Doud) Eisenhower who was wife of U.S. President Dwight David Eisenhower..
(for more information click here)

 

On the south western edge of Manning is the Great Western Park. The original pond (12 acres, 14 feet deep with boat ramp) was recently restored and the whole park is continually being developed. There is a shelter house, trail, and camper parking with water and electrical hook-ups. A dumpstation is located by the restrooms near the shelter house.
For camping fees and other information -
Phone (712) 792-4614 and E-mail info@carrollcountyconservation.com

Aerial photos by Scenic Concepts

Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill & Catfish are in the pond.

Manning has 4 places to enjoy a sit-down meal.

 


Deb's Corner Cafe located on Main Street on the east side.

This building was originally part of the "Horse Shoe Bar" which was touted by the Dubuque Brewing and Malting Co., brewers of Banquet Beer, as the longest bar west of the Mississippi River. The bar was of solid mahogany, was 120 feet long and took eight bartenders to service.

 


Cliff's Place located on Main Street on the west side.
Cliff Waterbury and family established the business June 14, 1976.

 


Dairy Sweet located on the west end of 141 in Manning.
This Dairy Sweet was originally on the east end of 141 in Manning and called "Chris's Dairy Sweet" which was established in 1965.

 


Rix Amoco located on the east end of 141 in Manning has a Food Store with booths.
Owned and operated by Alan Rix & family.
This business formerly Standard Oil -- Rix brothers was located at 141 and Main Street where the present day Hospital parking lot is located.

 

Another attraction is Main Street brick paving (bricks laid in 1915). Several annual community events are held on Main Street. Manning Show and Shine and Deutsche Tag 2001 shown above.

We hope you enjoyed the quick tour of Manning, Iowa --- A community of progressive people who are proud of Manning's history that was built by immigrant pioneers seeking a better life for all who moved here.

 

Map of Manning (click here)


(the red star on map above is the approximate location of the Heritage Park/Hausbarn site.)

Manning is approximately a 1.5 hour drive by car from Omaha, Nebraska & Sioux City, Iowa & Des Moines, Iowa.
If you draw a triangle on a map using these three towns as the points Manning will roughly be in the middle of the triangle.

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