Property Abstract

Linn County, City of Cedar Rapids,

Ridgewood: SE 15' LOT 44 & NW 60' LOT 45

Once it was a place to pass over,

a high point between the river and the creek,

a spot for a traveler to get some bearings,

until a young man from upstate New York

heeded the call and served his country in 1812 ,

receiving for his service 160 acres of Iowa land

which he owned for 30 years, but likely never saw.

His heir, a nephew, sold the land for ready cash,

and later, there may have been apple trees.

The railroad crossed the river to Cedar Rapids,

the 6th and 13th Iowa held the line at Shiloh,

the town expanded out to 10th Street,

and the enterprising Grande Ave. Land Co.

began to carve out choice building lots.

The streetcar came along a block away,

industry and commerce reached new zeniths,

and the city had now crossed 19th Street.

The Bohemians crowded in beside the river

and died in the explosion at the Starch works;

and having wrapped up the Great War,

the town was ready to let loose.

A lovely center entrance colonial went up in ‘20,

four bedrooms with lilacs planted in front,

plenty of space for hope and children to grow

in the American century to follow,

but in those brittle yellowing pages

prepared by Cedar Rapids Abstract and Title

we find, interspersed, the disquieting notes

of death, foreclosure and unlicensed dogs.