Category: People

Galesburg Illinois

Old Main on the campus of Knox College in Galesburg IL was the site of the fifth of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, on October 7, 1858.
Steven A. Douglas said: Equality among the different states is a cardinal principle upon which all our institutions rest.
To which Abraham Lincoln replied: He is blowing out the moral lights around us who contends that whoever wants slaves has a right to hold them.
Birthplace of author and historian Carl Sandburg, who wrote a biography of Abraham Lincoln.
Sandburg’s ashes are buried under this rock.
Sculpture of Carl Sandburg

Future Birthplace of Captain Kirk

Riverside IA

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry once wrote that Captain Kirk was born in a small town in Iowa. In 1985, Riverside IA claimed to be that town, and since then have erected a marker on the spot of Captain Kirk’s future birth. City lightposts display banners of the major characters of the series, and there is a museum (The Voyage Home Museum) with a fair amount of memorabilia. They have a Trek Fest celebration every year that draws thousands to this tiny town. There is also a Captain Kirk statue!

This marks the spot where Captain Kirk will be born.
Outside of the Voyage Home Museum
In the captain’s chair
Front viewing screen
In the Transporter
Gorn from the Arena episode of the original Star Trek series
This is the actual desk from Star Trek The Next Generation series that Data sits at

John Wayne’s Birthplace

Winterset IA

John Wayne was born in this house in 1907. His birth name was Marion Robert Morrison. He weighed 13 pounds at birth.
His nickname “Duke” was from his family’s Airedale Duke.
Sculpture outside the museum.
Scenes from some of John Wayne’s movies.
John Wayne by Andy Warhol.
Props and costumes from several of his movies. This is from Fort Apache.
The Horse Soldiers
John Wayne’s favorite place was Monument Valley
The Shootist
Military movies, including The Green Berets.
John Wayne tribute guns.
Comic books about the “Greatest Cowboy of them All”
John Wayne’s leisure clothes.
John Wayne’s 1972 Pontiac Grand Safari
John Wayne’s personal black book, turned to the page with Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s information.

Johnny Carson Museum

Norfolk NE

Johnny Carson was born in Iowa, and grew up in this house in Norfolk NE.
Carson sculpture in downtown Norfolk.
Wall mural in downtown Norfolk
Mock up of Johnny’s desk and guest’s seats.
A great photo op.
The opening monologue curtains.
Young Johnny basketball player
Navy communications officer during World War II
Student at the University of Nebraska
Star of the show at Nebraska
Gained fame as a magician
The most watched Tonight Show in history until his final show. Tiny Tim’s wedding with Miss Vicki.
His characters were very entertaining.
His most famous character, Carnac the Magnificent, who gave answers to questions he had never seen.
Six Emmys for The Tonight Show.
Johnny Carson was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush.