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Photos by Ryan Moffatt |
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Mason City/Clear Lake Photo Page Mason City is the county seat and the largest city in North Central Iowa with a population of 29,172 people, with 54,356 in the micropolitan area. Situated on the Winnebago River in Cerro Gordo County, Mason City was an important agricultural center that grew along with the mills that were in close proximity to a good water source. The first major industry was the manufacture of brick and tile, of which Mason City was one of the largest producers in the U.S. With an abundance of limestone and other minerals, Portland Cement was soon being made and mixed in several sites. To this day, Mason City is one of the largest cement producing regions in the Midwest. Architecture fans will appreciate the fact that Mason City is home to three pre-1910 structures designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and entire residential neighborhoods are designed in the Prairie school of architecture that he crafted. Today, Mason City is a relatively clean small city with a series of small lakes and parks spread out over many sections of town. Neighboring Clear Lake is a resort town of 8,161 people that edges Iowa's 3rd largest lake. This picturesque town has become a popular summertime tourist destination for Iowans and Minnesotans because of the recreational lake. The infusion of tourist dollars is apparent in Clear Lake with the town featuring a preserved and healthy downtown, vibrant small town neighborhoods and many amenities only found in places much larger. Click the thumbnail on the left to see a larger image. Use your browser's Back button to return to this page. |
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Brick and Tile Building-
is perhaps the most architecturally interesting and detailed building in
downtown. The 8-story building was built in 1916 to house the offices
of the Modern Brotherhood of America, but was later occupied by the Mason
City Brick and Tile Company. |
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Brick and Tile Building- a close-up of some of the architectural detail
on the 8 story building. |
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First National Bank Building-
The First National Bank Building is now known locally as the City Center
Apartments. The seven story building was built in 1910, the first floor has
been modernized to hold several businesses while the upper floors now hold
apartments. It was home to the First National Bank which was the successor
to the first bank in the County. On March 13, 1934 John Dillinger, 'Baby
Face' Nelson and cohorts robbed the First National Bank. The first
floor has been modernized and is home to several businesses. The upper
floors have been converted to apartments. April 2004 |
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First National Bank Building-
Another view of the Bank Building, as it looms over several smaller
commercial structures. Notice the walls of the other buildings are
made with some kind of stone that must've been readily available in the
area, as many buildings feature this. April 2004 |
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Downtown Retail-
At the intersection of North Federal Way Avenue
and State Street is the core of Mason City's downtown retail. April 2004 |
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Downtown Retail-
North Federal Way Avenue has been closed so that Southbridge (in
background), Mason City's enclosed retail mall could locate in downtown.
A nice collection of 'mom and pop' retail shops surrounds the mall. April 2004 |
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Downtown Retail-
The other side of Federal Way Avenue North, as viewed from the photo above.
Again, Southbridge Mall can be seen at the end of the street. April 2004 |
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Downtown Brickstone-
A beautiful old apartment building is found in the heart of Mason City's
downtown district. This building comprises some of the most
interesting architectural vernacular in all of downtown. April 2004 |
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The Manor- Formerly known as the Hanford Inn
Hotel, the nine story building is now called The Manor, and
has been converted to senior citizen apartments. The building also has
a barber shop and coffee house on the 1st floor. The hotel was constructed
in 1921 by C.H. MacNider. At the time, the hotel was Mason City's most
modern and largest hotel with 242 rooms. It was designed by Proudfoot, Bird
and Rawson Architects from Des Moines and is a mirror of the Hotel Fort Des
Moines. The building cost $672,500 to construct and is in the Georgian
Revival style. April 2004 |
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Old Post Office-
This building was originally built in 1907 as the Post Office and
designed by government architects under the direction of James Knox Taylor,
Supervising Architect of the US Treasury in Washington, DC. The building is
of eclectic design with strong Classical Revival influences. The green tile
clad hip roof has a wide bracketed overhang; classical columns and pilasters
adorn the facades. In 1937, the Mason City Post Office was relocated and
the city acquired this building, where it was remodeled for city offices.
The city offices have since relocated and the building is now home to a local insurance agency. April 2004 |
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Old Post Office
- Another view of the City National Bank. April 2004 |
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Park Inn Hotel-
is the only remaining hotel in the world that was designed by Frank Lloyd
Wright. This hotel dating from 1910 is currently under restoration and
will be renovated into a boutique hotel when completed. April 2004 |
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Park Inn Hotel- A view of the other end of the hotel, including what
was once the ornate lobby. Retail shops still occupy parts of this
building and it sits in a great location across the street from the city's
landscaped public square. April 2004 |
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Post Office-
The recently completed Mason City Central Post Office was built in a style
that imitates the classic form many civic buildings were previously built
in. April 2004 |
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Principal Financial- This 6 story office building with a distinctive
pyramid shaped roof is the newest office addition to downtown Mason City.
It's home to Principal Financial Group's Northern Iowa satellite office. April 2004 |
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YMCA-
The former home of the downtown Mason City YMCA on North Pennsylvania Avenue
has recently been converted to 46 low-to-moderate income apartments.
Four Additional units and indoor parking are built into the gymnasium
portion of the building. April 2004 |
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YMCA-
Another view of the former YMCA building that has been renovated into
apartments. April 2004 |
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Downtown Street Scene-
A collection of buildings near the Brick and Tile Building. April 2004 |
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Carnegie Library-
Completed in 1905, this Carnegie Library in downtown Mason City is now home
to the private offices of a local construction firm. April 2004 |
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First Baptist Church-
A beautiful church on the intersection of two busy downtown streets. April 2004 |
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First Baptist Church-
The same church as pictured above, seen from a different angle. April 2004 |
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First Congregational United Church of
Christ-
Across the street from the First Baptist Church is another eye-catching
house of worship found in the eastern portion of downtown Mason City. April 2004 |
Neighborhoods/Residential
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Brownstone-
This lone urban looking apartment building was found a few blocks from
downtown in one of the more interesting and urban looking neighborhoods of
the city. April 2004 |
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MacNider Art Museum-
is one of the few accredited art museums in all of Northern Iowa and is
municipally owned. The former mansion was converted to an art museum
in the 1960's, bearing the namesake of the local philanthropist that it made
it possible. April 2004 |
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Music Man Square-
is an interactive museum dedicated to Meredith Wilson, Mason City's most
famous hometown product. He created the musical known as "River City"
in which Mason City is factiously represented as River City. A movie
titled "The Music Man" later debuted bringing the story of River City to a
broader audience. The photo shows a statue of Meredith Wilson standing
outside of the new $10 million dollar museum housing memorabilia from the
play and the movie, including the original streetscape from the movie set. April 2004 |
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"Midtown" Mason City-
The northern side of Mason City along Federal Way (Highway 65) is home to a
small commercial node that has seen better days. April 2004 |
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Meredith Wilson Boyhood Home-
is directly next to the Music Man Square attraction. This 1895 Queen
Anne styled house is a well preserved "museum" of sorts. April 2004 |
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Stately Home- A nicely kept old home with an interesting design in
the Rock Crest/Rock Glen neighborhood. April 2004 |
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The Decker Home Bed & Breakfast-
is an interesting 1890's mansion that includes a bed and breakfast and
bistro restaurant. April 2004 |
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Funeral Home-
This stately old home near Music Man Square and downtown Mason City now
serves as a funeral home. April 2004 |
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Victorian Home- This beautiful Victorian house sits near Music Man
Square and downtown Mason City.
April 2004 |
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"The Castle"-
is a private residence in the beautiful Rock Crest/Rock Glen Neighborhood.
This elegant home has a beautiful view overlooking the small cliffs that
line the Willow Creek. The entire exterior is clad in stone and the
ornate accents have given the locals reason to dub this as "the castle." April 2004 |
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Meredith Wilson Pedestrian Bridge- spans the Willow Creek and is
nestled in a neighborhood filled with well kept homes designed in the
prairie school of architecture. The bridge is named after Mason City's
most famous son, of course. April 2004 |
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Willow Creek "Valley"-
A small series of limestone bluffs carved out from the Willow Creek make for
an interesting terrain shift in the Rock Crest/Rock Glen Neighborhoods. April 2004 |
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Prairie Style Home- in the Rock Crest/Rock Glen Neighborhood.
This is Mason City's most visually interesting "Old Money" neighborhood and
is filled with mature trees and Prairie Style inspired home designs. April 2004 |
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Prairie Style Home- Another home in the Rock Crest/Rock Glen
Neighborhood. April 2004 |
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Prairie Style Home- Another home in the Rock Crest/Rock Glen Neighborhood. April 2004 |
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Prairie Style Home- Yet another beautiful home in the Rock Crest/Rock
Glen Neighborhood. Notice the elevation of the main portion of the
home. Several homes in the neighborhood are similar in design, with a
main entrance at street level, and a "service" entrance below the home and
one level down from the sidewalk. April 2004 |
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Stockman House-
was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Prairie School style, constructed
in 1908. The recently restored Stockman House was the first and only
Prairie School house designed in Iowa by Mr. Wright. The house is
unoccupied, but the interior is decorated and tours are given daily. April 2004 |
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Winnebago River- A trail and parks line the quiet banks of the
Winnebago River through Mason City, giving a feel of being out in nature
when in reality, the city lies just up the banks of the river. April 2004 |
Clear Lake, Iowa
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Downtown Clear Lake-
The well preserved Corner Drug Store on 4th and Main Streets was once the
home of the Cerro Gordo State Bank. April 2004 |
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Downtown Clear Lake-One of downtown's more modern additions is this
somewhat tastefully designed bank building on the corner of Main and 6th
Streets. April 2004 |
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Downtown Clear Lake-A view down the sidewalk of Main Street near the
local
drug shop. The sidewalks aren't bustling when it isn't vacation
season, but the clean and preserved small town feel remain the same. April 2004 |
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Downtown Clear Lake- Along the corner of 4th and Main Streets, the
Corner Drug Store captures the epitome
of small town Americana. The Lake Theater (at left) is still in operation at
Clear Lake's only silver screen. April 2004 |
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Downtown Clear Lake-
There are many well preserved, frequented businesses and buildings along
Main Street. This row shows businesses that cater both to tourists,
locals and art fanatics. April 2004 |
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Downtown Clear Lake- A sidewalk cafe with Old Glory flying in the
foreground. Pleasant scenes like this are common in downtown Clear
Lake. April 2004 |
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Downtown Clear Lake- A row of buildings along Main Street. Even in
the off-tourist season when these photos were captured, the downtown
business scene was doing well. April 2004 |
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Downtown Clear Lake- Downtown is quickly becoming a local hotbed for the
arts. Shown in this photo is the local art center and one of several
art galleries along Main Street. For a slice back to rural
Iowa/Americana, the VFW lounge is next door and the pickups are parked in
the street. April 2004 |
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Clear Lake Band shell-
Standing just behind the municipal sea wall along Clear Lake, this band
shell
is the focal point of City Park. The park is surrounded by downtown
buildings on three sides and the lake on the rear side. April 2004 |
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Clear Lake-
Clear Lake is a 3,643 acre natural lake that serves as one of the largest
recreation areas in Northern Iowa. This is a view towards the southeast side
of Clear Lake looking at the area known as Shady Beach and Touristville
where many condos and businesses are located. April 2004 |
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Clear Lake-
A view off towards the southwest of Clear Lake. Notice the wind
generating turbines in the background. April 2004 |
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Surf Ballroom- this is the famous hotel that Ritchie Valens, Buddy
Holly and Big Bopper gave their last performance in before their plane went
down in a winter storm in 1959. The ballroom is still open and is a
very popular attraction during the busy summer season in Clear Lake. April 2004 |
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Pyramid House-This is one of many
interesting vacation type homes found along the shores of Clear Lake.
Architecturally a miss, it at least turns heads. April 2004 |
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North Iowa Wind Farm-
The Ventura wind farm is located just west of
Clear Lake. Northern Iowa has an abundance of flat terrain and windy
conditions and wind farms are popping up all over the region. This
farm has 55 turbines producing enough energy to power nearly 15,000 homes. April 2004 |