In search of something interesting to show about Nebraska:

Once we got into Iowa things started to get interesting. Stopped at the Iowa info centre on I80 at 3:40 pm for info on local history. They started phoning around Cedar Rapids to find out who could help us with Douglas history. Picked up a pamphlet on Brucemore Mansion (see below).

Drove 25 miles into Cedar Rapids and got this picture of the Quaker Oats plant on the way to the brand new 'History Center'.

At 4:45 we dropped into Quaker Oats and got some history from Beverly who was already on her way home but came back in just to help us. Have a look at the history on the Quaker Oats web site.

Headed several blocks away to see the mansion and estate where George Bruce Douglas raised his family. It was closed but we were able to drive around the grounds and take pictures. The Brucemore Mansion is now operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.    www.brucemore.org

Note:
George Bruce Douglas and his wife Irene (nee Hazeltine) raised three daughters; Margaret, Ellen and Barbara. Ellen has written three books under the pen name Ellen Williamson. Her book 'When We Went First Class'  was published by the Iowa State University Press. It is about her young life experiences and the family travels during the 20s, 30s and 40s.

Also Note: 
George, Walter and Edward were sons of George and Margaret (nee Boyd) Douglas. George senior was one of the five brothers that came to Canada from Scotland in the mid 1800s. His father's name was also George. Not too confusing eh?

Got lost on the way back and happened to find George's first house that he later traded for the mansion estate. 

This historic house is now a Turner Funeral Home.

Apparently the artist Grant Wood is also historically famous in the area.