Iowa’s first state roadway that made it’s way through area towns recently celebrated it’s 100th anniversary. The Great White Way Highway became Iowa’s first registered state route on July 30, 1914 under the provisions of the then newly-formed Iowa State Highway Commission. It was a dirt road that stretched from Davenport to Council Bluffs and insured motorists a straighter, leveler and shorter route across the state with a town every five miles along the way. Pella, Otley, Monroe and Prairie City were a part of the original route. The road was retired in the 1960s after the completion of I-80 and Highway 6 throughout most of Iowa.