Hometown Journal

In the summer of 1973, at the age of 19, Alan Boyle wrote a series of articles about the area where he grew up in Eastern Iowa — taking in the towns of Cascade and Bernard — for The Witness, the official newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque.

“Hometown Journal” appeared every other week during the months of June, July and August. Boyle later had the articles reprinted in a pamphlet that was sold at the Rexall drug store in Cascade.

Here’s the six-part series, captured from The Witness’ archives. Click on each page for a larger view:

Part 1:
Small Town History Written by Farmers

Part 2:
Farming — Tradition and Changing Business

Part 3:
Leo Hirtz and His Wife Lead Double Lives

Part 4:
The Town Picnic: Neighbor Meeting Neighbor

Part 5:
Bustling Cities Are No More Than Ghost Towns Today

Part 6:
Will Small Towns Make It? It’ll Be Tough