Photo: submitted Aerial view of what Blue Grass, Ia looks like today. At first some feared the new U.S. 61 bypass would detour business away from old U.S. 61 -- Mayne Street; however, community members said it has not been a problem.

Photo: The Plett Bro's. General Store opened in 1892 in the Modern Woodmen of America Hall at 102 W. Mayne St. in Blue Grass. A post office was located within the Plett store.

Only time could tell if the U.S. 61 Blue Grass bypass would do more harm than good by routing thousands of vehicles away from Mayne Street. But city leaders say the change actually has spurred growth.

"I don't think it hurt the town at all," Mayor Paul Barnes said. "The businesses are still here, now hopefully there are going to be some additions, and there's also going to be another housing area as a result of the bypass."

In addition to more housing, Mayor Barnes said new commercial buildings are being built and a lot of projects have sprouted up near the bypass, which was completed in 2001.

"As far as the overall progress of the town and growth, it's helped that part of town," Mayor Barnes said.

Blue Grass police officer and community club president Jim Morrisey agreed the bypass had a big impact on the town. "The Highway 61 bypass is a major change because the highway used to go right through the heart of Blue Grass," he said.

Residents have the best of both a close-knit community and easy access to the Quad-Cities, Mr. Morrisey said.

"We have a doctor's office, a grocery store, a dentist office, some convenience stores, a couple of different places to pick up a pizza," he said. "From Blue Grass, you can get anywhere you want to go."

New additions are sprouting up and the town is expanding some, but Mr. Morrisey said no matter what changes, Blue Grass always will retain its warm hospitality.

He said a constant in the town always has been "the small town feel, the friendliness. People still drive by and wave and still stop and talk when you're out trying to do yard work."

Another longstanding facet of the community, Blue Grass Savings Bank, has been in operation since 1902. It opened in its new building Dec. 12, but president Elton Farley said the bank stayed open to serve the community throughout the entire construction period.

While the town has seen many changes over the years, Mr. Farley said the bank has altered little. "We've changed from being kind of an agricultural community to a bedroom community to the Quad-Cities. Other than that, we were a bank in 1902, and we are a bank today."

Police Chief John Jensen said he has lived in Blue Grass for 17 years and always enjoyed the peaceful lifestyle.

"It's such a friendly little town. Everybody gets along with everybody," he said. "It's a small community, but we're starting to grow."