Prairie Lighthouse of Iowa

05/16/05 6:19 AM

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Prairie Lighthouse of Iowa

Bill Klauer of Dubuque, Iowa had always loved the sea, especially lighthouses. He yearned to live by one, or, better yet, to own one and live in it. This desire plagued him for years and periodic investigation into the issue led him to realize that it would be next to impossible to own one.

The next best thing was to build his own. Could he? Should he? Why not. He had visited over 200 of them. He had information on over 500 of them in his personal library.

After months of planning, the decision was made. Surprisingly, his wife Jo Ann (thought to be his biggest obstacle), went for it immediately. The show was on and the deed was set.

When Bill started building his lighthouse, a lot of people thought he was crazy, and told him so. However, being from a stubborn German ancestry, he told them he was fulfilling a dream.

Finally, after two years of difficult challenges and sometimes dangerous labor, his hard work paid off with the completion of his 61 foot tall lighthouse. His original skeptics now have nothing to say, but stand back and admire it.

The slender white tower can be seen from 16 miles during the day and its stationary light can be seen for 22 miles at night. It may not guide any ships over the prairies of Iowa, but it is a guide to the weary traveller. Now known as the Valley View Light, it is part of the Lighthouse Valley View Bed & Breakfast.

Bill and Jo Ann, both avid readers of Lighthouse Digest, have decorated the B & B with many items from the pages of the Lighthouse Depot Catalog.

So, the next time you're in Dubuque, Iowa, and need a place to stay, give them a call at 800-407-7023 or 319-583-7327. They're located at 15937 Lore Mound Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52002.

This story appeared in the March 1998 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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