Iowa Freedom Rocks: Where to Find Dubuque County’s Freedom Rock! | USA
Just like the UK, the USA honours soldiers and veterans on the 11th of November. As an expat, I find it really strange that there’s no-one wearing poppies. In the UK, for the 2 weeks leading up to November 11th, lots of places will give out little red paper poppies on a little plastic green stem in return for a donation. This is to represent the poppies that grew in the field at the end of the World War.
However Iowa has a unique way of its own to honour veterans, the Iowa Freedom Rocks!
Freedom Rocks in Iowa
Artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, has been painting murals on giant boulders since 1999. The first of his creations, the ‘Freedom Rock’ in Menlo Iowa, is the biggest (weighing over 60 tonnes/12ft tall) and gets repainted with a different mural each year ready for Memorial Day in May.
There is now one smaller rock (around 10 tonnes) in each of Iowa’s 99 counties, honouring veterans and promoting tourism within Iowa.
The future aim is to have a rock in each of the 50 States!
Dubuque County Freedom Rock
🗺102 Jacoby Walkway, Epworth, IA 52045, United States
Dubuque county’s is in Epworth, just off of Highway 20, right in front of the fire station. (There’s a small parking area in front of the town hall). It includes inspiration taken from local veterans.
The site has a commemorative bench and plaque, along with an area of engraved bricks that people could buy and dedicated to veterans that have both passed away and are still living. It’s surrounded by flagpoles bearing the State and Country flags too, it’s all very patriotic.
I think it’s in a perfect location in Epworth. It’s right on the hiking trail route that runs around the edge of town. There are benches, outdoor gym equipment and the path is wide enough for cyclists, walkers and double buggies to all pass each other at once!
To walk around the whole block is a distance of 2 miles and takes around 40 minutes. You will pass
- the Epworth Library
- Silker’s grocery store
- Epworth United Methodist Church
- the BP garage.
Whenever I take that walking route, I always swing by the rock and just stop and look at the pictures and read some of the engravings on the bricks. There’s even a Geocache hidden near the Freedom Rock too. (*Hint. The rock and the dedications do NOT need to be touched to find it. For example, it’s not hidden in the gravel around the bottom of the rock).
Epworth is approximately a 15 minute drive from the city of Dubuque.
Other Veteran’s Day (11th Nov) Celebrations in the USA
I worked in a school and they are holding a Veteran’s Day Assembly. It includes: flag bearers, pledging to the flag, singing the national anthem, different year groups singing Veteran/living in america songs, readings, gun salutes and handing out thank you cards to local Veterans that are attending the assembly.
When I was a school kid, all we had was the poppy sellers coming round each classroom (always a highlight!) and then the 2 minute silence.
Related reading: 15 Things To Add To Your Iowa Bucket List!
Have you seen any of the Iowa Freedom Rocks?
About the Author – Kylie
My travels have taken me to over 40 countries worldwide (& I lived in USA for 4yrs). I hold a BTEC National Diploma in Travel & Tourism (triple distinction) and have been writing on Between England & Everywhere since 2015.
Expert in: Adventure travel🎢, beach destinations🏖️, and packing light (mid-budget backpacker)🎒
Last Updated on April 18, 2024
This is about my dads histry. He is from Pottawattamie County. Just thought he would be a great subject for your beautiful work. Thank you!
Oh cool! Thank you so much for sharing!