Welcome Aboard the Pearl Button, Miss Turner

Take some fresh water mussels (clams) from the Mississippi River, discard the meat, wash the shells and you have the raw materials that helped put 42N city Muscatine, Iowa on the map in the mid-1800s. Clams were harvested, brought to shore, cleaned, shells drilled, blanks polished and packaged for the emerging American clothier market. The ride lasted until the 1960s when synthetic material (plastic) replaced organically produced pearl buttons.

At one time there were several factories in Muscatine that produced upwards of 1.3 million buttons a year. Surprisingly labor associated to make a single button involved up to 31 human touches per single fastener - that was extremely intensive. Above is a close up shot of thousands of mostly natural pearly colored buttons, some perfect and some with imperfections. The button process story is told well by the Muscatine History and Industry Museum. Know that.

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Late Autumn in Muscatine, Iowa

Along the ridge just a few blocks south of downtown Muscatine, Iowa (41.42N, 91.04W) sit an impressive collection of mansions overlooking the Mississippi River. These 42N area homes were once owned by the captains of industry in the river front town. Specifically the Weed Mansion and many other historic homes dating back to the mid-1800s are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (West Hill area.) The view this evening was one of a clear sunset low in the southwest. To complete the Muscatine profile is a steamboat sailing below and the shine from pearl button manufacturing. Know that.

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JW Hershey Up Bound on the Mississippi River

Commercial strength 5,000 horse power diesels propel the JW Hershey tug through Lock #16 on Mississippi River. Built in 1965, the 157-foot vessel was seen on August 30th pushing thirteen cargo barges through the Illinois side of Lock and Dam #16 directly across from Muscatine, Iowa. Home port for the JW Hershey is in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

A barge crew works to keep the tug/barge configuration in place within the lock as muddy waters rose to equal the up-river pool. Barge men give the pilot their verbal "ok" once the secure rigging is untied from the lock's side. With a powerful thrust of the engine the JW Hershey slowly pushed her cargo northward as a down bound tug waited to enter the lock. Two days later she continues her journey, and is presently situated at pool 11 on September 1.

Whether you watch these workhorses on the Mississippi River or their bigger brethren slip through the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan or on the Saint Lawrence Seaway in upstate New York there is something captivating about large scale water-based travel. Perhaps it represents the freedom to go many places on this water planet. Know that.

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All Aboard the Pearl Button in Muscatine, Iowa

Mississippi River excursion boating returned to Muscatine, Iowa (41.42N, 91.04W) with the operation of the Pearl Button sidewheeler. In July 2009, the new owners of the boat combined a water cruise experience with a land-based restaurant (Button Factory Woodfire Grille) and horse drawn carriage rides. The boat's name is derived from the pearl button industry that flourished in the river city nearly a century ago.

Most recently the cruiser ran excursion trips from Stillwater, Minnesota and was relocated downriver last October to her new home in Muscatine. Currently, Sunday excursions are offered from 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm. The passenger boat is powered by 2 - 85 hp diesels and an auxiliary on the stern. The carriage ride is powered by two horses who reportedly are brothers. Know that.

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