Connections Murals Public Art Project
THE BICYCLISTS

Mural Location:
818 4th Avenue
West wall (alley)

George Alden (1858-1946) and his step-sister, Ethel Clifford Swift (1877 - unknown), ride bicycles on a rural road outside of Newburg, Iowa, c. 1890.

George Alden (1858-1946) owned the Alden general store on the west side of Clay Street in Newburg, a town just northwest of Grinnell. The woman is George Alden’s stepsister, Ethel Clifford Swift (1877-?). Ethel lived with the Aldens above the store until she married Arthur Swift in 1898. This photo is among those from a collection of glass slides labeled Newburg that was donated to Drake Community Library.

Bicycles haven’t changed substantially since the turn of the 20th century, though no doubt cyclists today enjoy improved seats, gears and other comforts. Iowa’s famous summer ride across the state, RAGBRAI, attracts riders from within and far outside its borders. Grinnellians enjoy bike trails through town and west to Rock Creek State Park. Rural roads attract local gravel riders and the non-profit Imagine Grinnell organization hosts a gravel race each summer.

A project of the Grinnell Area Arts Council.

A special thank you to Rachel Bly for hosting this mural.
Thank you to Monique Shore for her collaboration and support of this project.

Support for this project is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority, as well as by Grinnell College, the City of Grinnell, Friends of Drake Community Library, Drake Community Library and Grin Cupola.