George Washington Carver National Monument Highpoint Trip Report
Date: May 27, 2014
Author: Fred Lobdell
My vague recollection of what little I had learned about Mr. Carver in school
more than a half century ago was that he was largely self-taught.
My recollection (or my instruction) was faulty. Mr. Carver was the first
African-American to earn Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the school
that is now Iowa State University.
He became an acknowledged expert in systematic botany and of course is justly
renowned for his work with peanuts.
For the national monument, take US 71 (or 71A) south from exit 18 on I-44 for 6 miles
to the metropolis of Diamond. Turn right (west) on county V and take that for two miles,
then turn left (south) for a half mile to the national monument grounds entrance,
following the signs.
The high ground appeared to be near or at the fence that marked the eastern border
of the national monument grounds. I walked the fence line both inside and outside the fence,
not knowing exactly where the national monument border might be.
The high area is near the buildings shown on the topographic map,
along the southern half of the fence line and some distance south of the entrance.