The Washburn, Iowa, post office closed just six days after the above photo was taken, on July 31, 2009. Residents of the unincorporated community, located just south of Waterloo, lamented the loss of the small post office, one of the last remaining places to bear the Washburn town name. The Washburn Post Office was open two hours daily and had less than 20 rented post office boxes.
Cedar Falls, Iowa, may be home to one of the best Main Streets in the state. Bookended on the north by a city park along the Cedar River, and on the south by a modern public library, this downtown shopping district features a number of charming local businesses, including a children’s gift store, trendy salon, and landmark hotel.
Whether you’re spending a few hours shopping in the downtown district or just looking for the best dinner option in the Cedar Falls area, you’ll want to check out Montage, a hip restaurant with a stellar atmosphere, professional service, and a creative menu.
Our meal started with the waitress-recommended chicken empanadas, one of several unique appetizers that are a several cuts above most standard restaurant fare. Entrees for the evening were also a hit, with Amanda choosing the sun-dried tomato pesto pasta with chicken. I tried the seasonal pasta, tossed in a cool lime cream sauce and topped with blueberries, a dish that ranks among the my all-time favorites from Iowa restaurants.