His business is truly a time capsule.  When Matthew Edel died in 1940, the doors were closed and no one entered until decades later… https://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2026/10/2026-1013-Edel-Blacksmith-Shop-2.mp3Podcast:…

You most likely have never heard of Matthew Edel.  You might never have known him if not for the business he left behind… https://americancountryside.com/wp-content/gems/2026/10/2026-1012-Edel-Blacksmith-Shop-1.mp3Podcast: Play…

Many people like reminders of their heritage.  For the residents of this small town, the reminders is one very large…windmill.  This is the story of…

When a couple marries they often incorporate traditions from both of their families.  But for the immigrants from this nation, they found they were losing…

Immigrants from many countries came to the U.S. during the 19th century, but the young men from this country often came because the farms in…

Go down an interstate highway and you’ll find plenty of trucks.  While many look similar, there is really a great variety in what travels down…

When Bill Moon opened a truck stop in 1964, he perhaps didn’t imagine his passion for trucking would someday result in one of the largest…

It’s the largest of its kind and the story behind it is one of hard work, entrepreneurship and constant reinvestment into what had already been…

Many towns and cities put up Christmas decorations during the holiday season.  In this small town they put up a Christmas tree each year and…

In east central Iowa you’ll find the small town of Lost Nation, Iowa.  Interestingly, the story of how it was named seems to be lost…