Primghar City Tree Dump

I LOVE it here!

Location: Primghar City Tree Dump on the Southeast Edge of Town

Name: Fay Schall

Residence: Primghar, IA

What, Who, How or Why attracts you to this place?

It is a peaceful place interrupted by occasional bird chatter, where nature ceaselessly attempts to beautify our “debris” with a blanket of native habitat. Amid piles of broken concrete, tree limbs & grasses grow a variety of plants and grasses—one never knows what might be blooming! I love the primitive, winding road that crosses Dry Run and climbs into the “dump” area. Each trip holds the possibility of a new discovery, whether it be debris or plant life. I often wonder what Charles Albright saw when the ground was a portion of his 1871 homestead.

What makes you happy about O’Brien County?

Our county history is an interesting saga and a fun project is to uncover a story or location that has fallen beyond current memory & “resurrect” it. The courthouse is a guardian of so many records, each with a story.It is a rewarding pastime to wander through our county—seems that every road leads to a story of some type. Sometimes the end of the tale is the place to begin—cemeteries present educational opportunities beyond what
is inscribed in stone. Do you know who built your home or plowed your farm beyond recent memory? It just might be fun to find out!

One memory of “touring” O’Brien County: 

One of the surprises on a random exploration of Waterman Township was the expansive southern view available at Hill Outlook, high above the Little Sioux on Waterman Blvd. It was simply beautiful and I plan to return and enjoy during all four seasons.

What did you learn during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

I have missed the ability to carefully peruse the pages of some old record book (housed at the courthouse) during the pandemic closing. Our “freedom of movement” that was so part of every day has become a more valued commodity indeed!

What is one of your favorite quotes?

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin & culture is like a tree without roots.”-- Marcus Garvey