Marquette Depot Museum & Information Center

16/08/2025

2009 the front side of the demolition of the Pink Elephant Motel. You can just make out Pinky in the lower part of the picture. That was when it was called the Lady Luck Casino.

14/08/2025

😎Ports of Discovery Weekly Guide 😎

Events:
🍅Marquette Farmers Market, Driftless Area Wetlands Centre | Friday, Aug. 15, 4-7 p.m.
🧘‍♀️Sunset Sound Meditation in the Forest, Larkin Overlook, Yellow River State Forest Paint Creek Unit, Harpers Ferry | Friday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m.
🌙Exploring the Night Sky, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry | Friday, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m.
🍷Sweets and Sips Wine and Dessert Pairing, Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette | Friday-Sunday, Aug. 15-17
🎤Singing for the Kids: Karaoke with Nelson, Pocket City Pub, McGregor | Saturday, Aug. 16, 4 p.m.
🚒McGregor Hook & Ladder Co. No 1 Fish Fry and Auction, Backwoods Bar and Grill Event Center, McGregor | Saturday, Aug. 16, 4-10 p.m.
💫Shooting Stars Watch Party, Yellow River State Forest (952 State Forest Road), Harpers Ferry | Saturday, Aug. 16, 8:30-11 p.m.
☕️ Pocket City Fellowship , McGregor's Convention, Conference & Community Center (former Methodist Church) | Monday, Aug. 18, 8 a.m.-noon
✨SPARK! Nature Program, Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, Marquette | Tuesday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.

Live Music:
🎵Driftless Magnolias, Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette | Friday, Aug. 15, 5-8 p.m.
🎶Ann Christoffer, Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette | Saturday, Aug. 16, 1-4 p.m.
🎸LaBarge, Big Buoys Tiki Bar, McGregor | Saturday, Aug. 16, 1-5 p.m.

McGregor Public Library Activities:
🧶Adult and Kids Crochet Groups | Mondays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. for adults and 3:30-4:30 p.m. for kids
📚Preschool Story Time | Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
📝Writer’s Group | Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m.
🎲Game Group | Thursdays at 3 p.m.

Other Things to Do:
☀️Check out the new sun mural shining in downtown McGregor
🚂Learn about Marquette’s railroad history at the Marquette Depot Museum & Information Center
💦Cool off at McGregor’s Turner Park: Fitness For All Ages Splash Pad, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
🏃Register for the GRRRR Great River Road - Road Race 5K and 10K on Oct. 4 at https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/IA/McGregor/GRRRRGreatRiverRoadRoadRoadRace
🎣Cast a line in Bloody Run Trout Stream or see what’s biting on the Mississippi River

Eat/Drink:
🍔Savor a hearty breakfast or lunch at Marquette Bar and Cafe
🍻Order a flight to find your favorite house brewed beer at The Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery, McGregor
🫖Try the new Strawberry Turmeric Chai Forever Tea along with a slice of quiche or tea sandwiches at McGregor SpecialTea Shoppe
🍹Enjoy a blended cocktail or other beverage while soaking in the fun atmosphere at Big Buoys Tiki Bar in McGregor

Shop:
🥫Jazz up your meals with delicious BBQ sauces and delectable dips from By The Spoonful in McGregor
👖If you’re ready for fall fashion, find new jeans and flannels at Free Spirit Boutique By Laura Davies Carlson in McGregor
📚You can never have too many books - find your latest at Rivertown Fine Books in McGregor

✨ Find more inspiration, including lodging, at www.portsofdiscovery.com ✨

📸: McGregor Sun Mural

09/08/2025

I have had a couple of requests to repost this picture. Bob Ries decided to load up Pinky behind a houseboat and float him as to let President, Jimmy Carter, who was in McGregor that day, know that the Republicans were represented also. My caption was "Pinky does not know how to swim!" I do not know who the people were on the boat that were certainly enjoying this. Bob Ries was the man who along with two other men owned the Pink Elephant Supper Club for many years.

09/08/2025

1916 Flood Roundhouse in North McGregor.

04/08/2025

Caught CN 9613 making a quick stop in Dyersville just after 7 tonight. The light couldn’t have been better — low sun cutting through the trees, just enough to light up the nose of the engine and cast some nice shadows on the cars.

She’s an old GP38-2 from the '70s, still out there grinding it out through small-town Iowa, hauling freight past grain bins and elevator towers that haven’t changed much in 50 years. The whole scene just felt right — hot summer air, faint diesel rumble, and everything standing still for a minute.

Didn’t plan to be there, just happened to roll up at the right time. Sometimes you get lucky.

🚂🌾📸

04/08/2025

Unexpected. Underrated. Unbelievable. Iowa’s Hidden Hills Road Trip delivers more than meets the eye—where ancient winds carved out rolling bluffs, Hollywood left its mark on a cornfield, and Nordic heritage thrives in tucked-away towns. This isn’t flyover country—it’s roll-the-windows-down, slow-the-pace magic with prairie skies, limestone caves, and soul-soothing views at every turn.

🌾 Americana-Filled Scenic Stops:
📍 Loess Hills Scenic Byway (rare windblown silt formations)
📍 Field of Dreams Movie Site (play catch on the diamond)
📍 Maquoketa Caves State Park (underground tunnels)
📍 Pikes Peak State Park (Mississippi River overlooks)
📍 Decorah (Nordic culture + bald eagle nests)

04/08/2025

02/08/2025

📅SAVE THE DATE(S)!📅

Meet some “Legends of McGregor’s Past” during the latest installment of this guided historical walking tour on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31.

McGregor’s unique history comes to life through re-enactments of visionary photographer Margery Goergen and revered Ho-Chunk figure Emma Big Bear, doll manufacturer Ruth Hoseley, beloved swimming instructor Gordon Lord, notable bowyers Lloyd Eddings and George Birnie and puppeteers Bruce and Nola Bucknell.

Meet at the McGregor Historical Museum, at 256 Main St. Tours will be 45 minutes to one hour long and leave every 15 minutes from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 30 and 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 31. Attendees will stop at five locations in McGregor, where they’ll see community members act out short skits.

This event is sponsored by the McGregor, IA Historic Preservation Commission, McGregor Historical Museum and McGregor Public Library.

📲Follow the Legends of McGregor's Past Guided Historical Walking Tour event for more details!

01/08/2025

Please join us for this event - there will be a parade. If you want to be in it , just show up at 12:30 in front of the Depot Museum on Edgar St. and the parade starts at 1:00 P.M.
During this End of Summer Blast (Family Friendly) there will be live music, inflatables, a dunk tank and food trucks at the Driftless Area Wetland Centre.
The Hole in the Sock Gang will perform at 2:00 behind the Depot Museum.
Then at dusk that evening there will be FIREWORKS!!!!