Central Iowa from A to Z
Agriculture
If it's Des Moines in August, then it must be the Iowa State Fair - the granddaddy of them all! This central Iowa event has been made into a movie three times, two of which were Rodgers and Hammerstein musical productions. Iowa State University in Ames is a world leader in agriculture research, education, and extension services. Living History Farms in Greater Des Moines depicts the amazing story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest into the most productive farmlands in the world, and depicts over 300 years of agricultural heritage in five historical time periods. Madison County is famous not only for its covered bridges, but as the home of the Delicious apple. Some of the finest blue cheese in the country comes from Maytag Dairy Farms near Newton.
Business & Industry
Quality products are made at these central Iowa companies: Maytag washers in Newton; Frigidaire washers and dryers and Beam central vacuums in Webster City; Fareway Foods in Boone; Kraft General Foods Jello pudding snacks in Mason City; Hy-Vee Foods in Chariton and Des Moines; Vermeer Manufacturing and Pella windows and doors in Pella; Lennox Industries in Marshalltown; Winnebago Industries in Forest City; and publishing giant - Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, a city which is also famous as the third largest insurance center in the world.
Climate
Iowa's weather appeals to everyone -- sooner or later! Diversity of season is a great reason to love Iowa's climate. A typical year brings 266 sunny or partly sunny days, and 99 cloudy days. Winter snowfall averages 30 inches, and relative humidity averages 72 percent.
Democracy
Iowa's 99 counties were established in the last century as part of a county government system that placed each county seat within one day's travel by horseback. In some circumstances, the selection of the county seat town was "duked out" with multiple elections, court cases, or in one notorious instance - a wrestling match! Thirty-five counties make up the Central Iowa Tourism Region. Every four years, all eyes are on Iowa during its primary caucuses to monitor the outcome of the straw poll - the first in the nation test of candidate strength in the race for president. Political history is still in the making - and open for viewing - at the spectacular gold domed Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.
Ethnic Diversity
Iowans hail from a variety of nationalities, and these ties are still apparent today. Amish settlements in Davis and Lucas counties preserve the traditional "no frills" lifestyle of this culture and those traveling in these counties are as likely to see horse and buggies as they are to see automobiles on the roadways. The story of Pella's Dutch heritage is featured in the Klokkenspel located just off the town square, and this animated musical clock accompanied by a 147-bell carillon depicts the story of Dominie Scholte and his wife Mareah's journey from Holland and the establishment of the community of Pella. The Meskwaki settlement near Tama brings alive Iowa's rich Native American heritage, and the Scandinavian past of Story City is celebrated each year with an annual festival. Those in Ackley "relish" their heritage annually with Sauerkraut Days held in June.
Faith & Religious Beliefs
Iowa was part of the pathway used by Mormons enroute from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah in the mid 1800's. Over 80,000 Mormons traveled the Mormon Trail and the hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints" was composed by William Clayton as the Mormons crossed Iowa southeast of Corydon in 1846. St. John's Basilica, in the heart of Des Moines, is one of only 33 basilicas in the country, and Pope John Paul II held mass at Living History Farms in Greater Des Moines in 1979. Pure and simple faith guides the everyday lives of the Amish residing in settlements in Davis and Lucas counties, and Davis County is also noted as the place where the first Rebekah Lodge in the world was established.
Gaming
Feeling lucky? Then head to one of central Iowa's three casinos - Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino near Altoona, Meskwaki Bingo • Casino • Hotel near Tama, or Lakeside Casino Resort near Osceola. Prairie Meadows offers an entertainment extravaganza all year long with casino-style slot machines; seasonal, live thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing; and year-round simulcasting. Meskwaki Bingo • Casino • Hotel seems to offer every conceivable way to win, including slot machines, keno, roulette, blackjack, poker, craps and bingo. Lakeside Casino Resort is the newest addition to Iowa's gaming scene and features slot machines and table games aboard a 1,500-passenger boat on West Lake.
Hollywood In Iowa
The "Bridges of Madison County" was filmed in and around Winterset, home of the covered bridges featured in the romance between Robert Kincaid and Francesca Johnson as played by actors Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. The bridges, farmhouse, and other movie sites are frequented by travelers from around the world. Visitors to Mason City can experience one of Central Iowa's newest attractions -- The Music Man Square dedicated to the life and works of Mason city's own Meredith "The Music Man" Wilson. Movie goers were blown away by the hit movie "Twister" which was filmed at several sites in central Iowa, and the Victorian style home and farmstead featured in the final sequences of the film can be seen near the community of Eldora. Hollywood stars with ties to Iowa include "The Duke" John Wayne who was born in Winterset; movie star Jean Seberg from Marshalltown; television and film star Tom Arnold from Ottumwa; stage and screen star Cloris Leachman who got her start at the Des Moines Playhouse; and Ronald Reagan who was the first sports director for WHO Radio from 1933 to 1937 long before he went to Hollywood and then to Washington for his most famous role as president of the United States.
Iowa's American Indians
Over 3,300 acres of land make up the settlement area owned by the Meskwaki tribe near Tama. The color and pageantry of the tribe's heritage come to life during the annual Pow Wow held in August each year. Don't miss the American Indian artifacts at the State of Iowa Historical Building and the 1700 Ioway Indian village replica at Living History Farms in Greater Des Moines.
Jock's - Iowa Athletes
Olympic runner George Saling of Wayne County was the Gold Medal winner in the 110-meter hurdles in 1932. Van Meter is the hometown of famed pitcher Bob Feller. Three career no-hitters and 2,581 strikeouts paved Feller's way to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Fans head to Iowa State University in Ames to watch the Iowa State Cyclones compete in Big 12 Conference sports. The North Iowa Huskies hockey team play its home games in Mason City, and the Des Moines Buccaneers are recent champions of the United States Junior A Hockey League. Have a ball at an Iowa Cubs baseball game, or cheer on the Des Moines Menace Soccer players.
King-Size
You haven't seen the ultimate treehouse until you visit The Big Treehouse in Marshalltown - a ten level treehouse complete with electricity, running water, piped-in music, and charming decorator touches built within a silver maple tree. The giant Crusoe umbrella sculpture shelters Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines, and the 162-foot Mahanay Bell Tower in Jefferson featuring 14 cast bells and carillon, offers three performances daily. The Kate Shelley High Bridge near Boone is the longest and highest double track bridge in the world and is so named because of this young heroine's journey across the bridge in a violent storm to warn a passenger train of upcoming danger on the tracks. Brooklyn's "Community of Flags" features a huge, year round outdoor display of color anchored by a giant 20 by 38 foot United States flag on a 50 foot pole surrounded by flags from all 50 states, armed service and other special interest flags.
Landscape
The differences in terrain throughout the central region are dramatic - from flat, fertile farmland to rolling hills and forested river valleys. Wagon ruts are still evident today in many areas of south central Iowa marking the journey of the Mormons that traveled across this area of the state in the mid-1800's. Fossils from the Devonian Period, which are more than 350 million years old, can be found at the Rockford Fossil Beds located near the north central Iowa community of Rockford. The architectural landscape of Frank Lloyd Wright can be seen throughout the downtown and historic neighborhoods of Mason City.
Musicians
The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake is the site of the last concert by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "the Big Bopper" Richardson." The beautifully restored Surf features a monument dedicated to the memories of these rock and roll legends and "the day the music died." Mason City is the hometown of The Music Man writer and composer Meredith Willson whose works were performed by such greats as Bing Crosby. In addition, Mason City has hosted the North Iowa Band Festival for over 50 years. Opera star Simon Estes still has ties to his boyhood home of Centerville, and band leader Lawrence Welk began his career at Drake University in Des Moines.
Native Daughters & Sons
Famous people with Iowa ties include: John L. Lewis, a national labor leader in the coal mining era who is honored with the Lewis Mining & Labor Museum in Lucas; Mamie Doud Eisenhower, the wife of the 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Boone and her birthplace is one of only two first ladies' birthplaces in the United States open to visitors; Bil Baird, an artist and creator of puppets and marionettes including those featured in The Sound of Music, was from Mason City; and Pulitzer Prize winning author MacKinlay Kantor and reporter Clark Mollenhoff who were from Webster City.
Opera
Enjoy world-class opera with the Des Moines Metro Opera featuring outstanding performances each season. Remembering his roots, opera star Simon Estes still returns to his native Iowa to regale audiences with his magnificent voice. Built in 1900, the Pella Opera House has undergone a spectacular $2 million renovation and offers seasons of musical and theatrical entertainment featuring nationally known performers.
Pioneers
The dragoons were early military scouts, and their trails follow the Des Moines and Boone Rivers. Carrie Chapman Catt, from Iowa, started the nationwide suffragist movement. Franklin County had the first Rural Electric Association (REA) plant to go on line west of the Mississippi, changing life in rural America forever.
Quilting
The Valley Junction area of West Des Moines caters to quilt lovers, with stores that sell antique quilts and others that sell supplies for the creation of new ones.
Rivers & Lakes
Excursion and meal cruises are popular in central Iowa and include the - Scenic City Empress on the Iowa River near Iowa Falls, and the Lady of the Lake on spring-fed Clear Lake. Colfax was famous for its natural mineral springs, reputed to have healing powers. Visitors came to Colfax from all over the world, many arriving by train to stay in one of several grand hotels which existed. Beauty and fun combine on the Des Moines, Iowa, Raccoon and Boone Rivers offering canoeing, boating and natural scenery. Iowa's largest lakes - Red Rock, Rathbun, and Saylorville are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and offer outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities. In addition, Rathbun features the Rathbun Fish Hatchery - the largest warm water fish hatchery in the world.
Symbols
Iowa's many grain elevators are often referred to as the "skyscrapers" of rural America and symbolize the agricultural heritage of the area. Moving down the road, you may happen upon the "Butter Cow and Calf" sculpture near Tama which was created by a local artist and was displayed at the Iowa State Fair for 30 years. Heading on to Osceola on Highway 34, you'll encounter the "Warrior Statue" created in 1992 from red cedar to honor the Indian heritage of the area. The "Maple Tree Farmer" a 30 foot carving depicting a farmer, stalk of corn, and chickens is located in Hubbard. The national 4-H emblem has it's roots in Clarion, and the state flag of Iowa was designed by Dixie Gebhardt of Knoxville. Strike a pose at the American Gothic House in Eldon, which is featured in the background of Iowa artist Grant Wood's world famous painting "American Gothic" symbolizing rural life.
Trails & Rails
Get "on track" at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad with an almost two hour train ride through the beautiful Des Moines River Valley. Trainland U.S.A. in Colfax is an operating toy train museum including over 20 Lionel "O" Gauge trains traveling over 4,000 feet of track. Britt celebrates the life of those who "rode the rails" with the National Hobo Convention held annually in August since 1900. Follow the paths of the past on the Dragoon and Mormon Trails, or travel the Lincoln Highway - the first hard-surfaced transcontinental highway.
Universities & Colleges
At Iowa State University, a pioneer of technology, scientists invented the first digital computer and the first fax machine. Iowa State is home to the largest student-organized festival of its kind -- VEISHEA. Grinnell College, a highly regarded liberal arts school, was the first college west of the Mississippi. And Graceland College in Lamoni was founded by Joseph Smith III, first president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Views & Vistas
Enjoy a breathtaking look at the Des Moines River Valley from Lake Red Rock's 160-foot Cordova park Observation Tower. Or take a ride on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad for a spectacular view from one of the highest trestles in the state. The 162-foot Mahanay Bell Tower in Jefferson features an elevator ride to an enclosed observation deck offering a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. A riot of color entertains the eyes at Pella's Tulip Time each May. At the Iowa Arboretum near Madrid, more than 300 acres of forest feature walking trails that branch out to scenic overlooks and spring-fed streams. Colorful hot-air balloons quietly hang in the heavens over Indianola during the National Balloon Classic.
Welcome Centers
A wealth of Iowa information is available at central Iowa's six Welcome Centers including the Interstate Center located near Davis City in southern Iowa. Locally operated centers included a center housed in an original Sears & Roebuck Home in Bloomfield, a restored Rock Island Depot in Dows, an agricultural themed center that looks like at barn complete with an elevator in the attached silo located near Northwood, the Living History Farms Welcome Center, and the Southern Iowa Gateway Welcome Center in Lamoni. In addition, several other local visitor information and welcome centers are located throughout the region.
X-tra! X-tra!
The Ames Daily Tribune, The Des Moines Register, Marshalltown Time Republican, Mason City Globe-Gazette and Ottumwa Courier are among the more than 25 daily newspapers in central Iowa.
Yule Time & Other Holidays
Memorable Christmas traditions include the Lighted Christmas Parade in Oskaloosa; the Victorian Stroll in Albia where 60 "living windows" depict Christmas scenes; and a Dutch Christmas celebration in Pella. An old-fashioned Fourth of July at Living History Farms is a favorite of all ages, and St. Patrick's Day wouldn't be complete without a parade in downtown Des Moines.
Zones
Iowa is in the Central Time Zone. A central Iowa "speed zone" can be found in Knoxville which is known as the Sprint Car Capitol of the World with a half mile track that sizzles with exciting racing action from mid-April through mid-September, and is host to the National Sprint Car Championships every August. Knoxville is also home to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum - the world's only museum dedicated to preserving the history of "big cars" and sprint car racing. However, most Iowa highways have a speed limit of 55 mph, while the limit for rural interstate and most four-lane highways is 65 mph.
