Mason City Downtown Historic District

Last updated

Mason City Downtown Historic District
1st National Bank Building, Mason City, Iowa.jpg
USA Iowa location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
LocationRoughly bounded by N. 46th St., Georgia Ave., Washington Ave., and S. 2nd St., Mason City, Iowa
Coordinates 43°09′09.7″N93°12′03.9″W / 43.152694°N 93.201083°W / 43.152694; -93.201083
Area49.75 acres (20.13 ha)
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright
Architectural style Late Victorian
Late 19th & early 20th century Revivals
NRHP reference No. 05000956 [1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 8, 2005

The Mason City Downtown Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Mason City, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. [1] At the time of its nomination it contained 93 resources, which included 63 contributing buildings, one contributing site, four objects, 22 non-contributing buildings, and three non-contributing objects. [2] Platted in 1855, Mason City is a commercial and industrial center for north central Iowa. It was also a railroad center, but the tracks bypassed the central business district in order to serve the industries located on the north side of town and the wholesale enterprises on the south side. Central Park, a public square, was part of the city's original plat and is the contributing site.

Most of the buildings in the downtown area were builder-contractor designed. Among the builders were Geo. P. Petersen & Son and M.M. Moen Company (later Davey & Moen). There are also several examples of architect designed buildings. They include Parker's Opera House (1883) by William Foster, the former Mason City Public Library (1904) by Patton & Miller, the Park Inn Hotel (1909) and the City National Bank (1910) by Frank Lloyd Wright, First National Bank (1911) by Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen, the MBA Building (1917) by Bell & Bentley, the Hanford Hotel (1921) by Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson, the YMCA (1926) by Tyrie and Chapman, and the former First Church of Christ, Scientist (1928) by Clyde W. Smith. There are also buildings designed by prominent local architects E.R. Bogardus and Karl Waggoner. [2] An apartment building, The Kirk (1903), destroyed by fire in 2023 [3] , is also individually listed on the National Register.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Park Inn Hotel</span> United States historic place

The Historic Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank are two adjacent commercial buildings located in downtown Mason City, Iowa, United States which were designed in the Prairie School style by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1910, the Park Inn Hotel is the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel in the world, of the six for which he was the architect of record. The City National Bank is one of only two remaining Frank Lloyd Wright-designed banks in the world. It was the first Frank Lloyd Wright-designed project in the state of Iowa, and today carries both major architectural and historical significance. In 1999, the Park Inn Hotel was named on the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance's Most Endangered Properties List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cass Park Historic District</span> Historic district in Michigan, United States

The Cass Park Historic District is a historic district in Midtown Detroit, Michigan, consisting of 25 buildings along the streets of Temple, Ledyard, and 2nd, surrounding Cass Park. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 and designated a city of Detroit historic district in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. G.C. Stockman House</span> Historic house in Iowa, United States

The Dr. G.C. Stockman House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1908 for Dr. George C. and Eleanor Stockman in Mason City, Iowa. The home was originally located at 311 1st St. SE, but was moved to 530 1st St. NE to avoid demolition. It has been fully restored as a public museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features numerous authentic period furnishings and reproduction pieces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Courthouse (Davenport)</span> United States historic place

The United States Courthouse, also known as the Federal Building, is a historic building located in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It has historically housed a post office, courthouse, and other offices of the United States government. The building now serves only as a federal courthouse, housing operations of the eastern division of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. In 2018, the operations of the Rock Island division of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois were also moved there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Commercial Historic District (Muscatine, Iowa)</span> Historic district in Iowa, United States

The Downtown Commercial Historic District in Muscatine, Iowa is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. At that time, it included 93 contributing buildings, one other contributing object, and 18 non-contributing buildings. The city of Muscatine was established as Bloomington in 1836. The original town was built on land that is generally flat along the Mississippi River. Residential areas were located on the surrounding hills. Commercial and industrial interests developed on the flatter land near the river. Muscatine's commercial and industrial center had developed in a 12-block area along Front Street, now Mississippi Drive, and 2nd Street between Pine Street and Mulberry Street by 1874. This area, represented by the Downtown Commercial Historic District, is the city's original commercial area. Within its boundaries is a large number of 19th-century commercial buildings, many of which were modified in the first half of the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi Lofts and Adler Theatre</span> United States historic place

The Mississippi Lofts and Adler Theatre is an apartment building and theater complex located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places by its original name, the Hotel Mississippi and RKO Orpheum Theater. The Hotel Mississippi was listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 2005. In 2020 the complex was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Davenport (Davenport, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

The Davenport Hotel was a historic building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District. It was an apartment building called The Davenport. A rear portion of the building collapsed in 2023. The majority of the building was demolished on June 12, 2023. Several remaining sections were demolished over the next three days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old City Hall (Davenport, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

The Old City Hall, also known as Oxford Flats, is located just north of downtown along a commercial corridor in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Ebeling House</span> Historic house in Iowa, United States

The Arthur Ebeling House is a historic building located on the west side of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The Colonial Revival house was designed by its original owner, Arthur Ebeling. It was built from 1912 to 1913 and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Waterbury Historic District</span> Historic district in Connecticut, United States

The Downtown Waterbury Historic District is the core of the city of Waterbury, Connecticut, United States. It is a roughly rectangular area centered on West Main Street and Waterbury Green, the remnant of the original town commons, which has been called "one of the most attractive downtown parks in New England."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proudfoot & Bird</span> American architectural firm

Proudfoot & Bird was an American architectural firm that designed many buildings throughout the Midwest region of the United States. Originally established in 1882, it remains active through its several successors, and since 2017 has been known as BBS Architects | Engineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen</span>

Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen was an architectural firm in the U.S. state of Iowa. They designed Kromer Flats built in 1905. It designed courthouses, commercial buildings, and residences. Several are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hotel Burlington</span> United States historic place

Hotel Burlington, now known as The Burlington Apartments, is a historic building located in the central business district of Burlington, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and it was included as a contributing property in the Downtown Commercial Historic District in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwood Central Avenue Historic District</span> Historic district in Iowa, United States

The Northwood Commercial Historic District encompasses most of the central business district along four blocks of Central Avenue in Northwood, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The historic district includes 59 properties. It includes, as contributing properties, 40 buildings, one site, one structure, and three objects. There are also 14 buildings that are non-contributing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newton Downtown Historic District (Newton, Iowa)</span> Historic district in Iowa, United States

The Newton Downtown Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Newton, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. At the time of its nomination it contained 85 resources, which included 60 contributing buildings, one contributing site, and 24 non-contributing buildings. Jasper County was established by the Iowa Territorial Legislature in 1846, and Newton was incorporated the following year as the county seat. The town grew slowly at first around the Jasper County Courthouse. Businesses largely served the needs of the local farmers as well as the town's residents. The Mississippi and Missouri Railroad, later the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, came to Newton in 1867. This changed the town's economy from agricultural-based to manufacturing, and the central business district expanded outward as the community grew. Several washing machine companies established themselves in Newton, most notably Maytag. The emergence of Maytag as a major corporation in the mid-20th century led to the transformation of the downtown area. Between 1951 and 1952, 18 businesses installed new storefronts, transforming them from their original Victorian appearance to a more modern appearance. The modernization continued into the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Dodge Downtown Historic District</span> Historic district in Iowa, United States

Fort Dodge Downtown Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Additional documentation for the district was approved by the National Park Service on January 4, 2019. At the time of its nomination it contained 177 resources, which included 100 contributing buildings, one contributing site, one contributing structure, five contributing objects, 64 non-contributing buildings, three non-contributing structures, and three non-contributing objects. The district covers the city's central business district, mainly along Central Avenue, but also along the adjoining streets as well. Commercial development in the district began with the city's original plat in 1854 and continued through the opening of the Crossroads Mall in 1964. Webster County Courthouse (1902), First National Bank Building (1908), and the Wahkonsa Hotel (1910) are all located in the district and are individually listed on the National Register.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Kirk (Mason City, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

The Kirk was a historic building located in Mason City, Iowa, United States. Completed in 1903, this was the city's first luxury apartment building. Horace P Kirk, who owned and managed the building, was a Mason City businessman, photographer, and civic leader. He built two other buildings here and to the north that were destroyed in a fire in 1902. This building was built on the site of Kirkland Flats, and parts of its stone foundation and north wall may be from the H.P. Kirk wholesale building that had been built in 1892. Originally The Kirk supplied heat, light, and water for the apartments with its own steam generating plant. It subsequently acquired city utilities. The building featured an eclectic design that was organized into horizontal and vertical elements. The horizontal was realized in wide brick bands on the floors. The vertical was realized in the copper-clad oriel windows that tied the second and third floors to the cornice. The building was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and as a contributing property in the Mason City Downtown Historic District in 2005.

Fred Maytag Park is a public park located in Newton, Iowa, United States. It was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. At the time of its nomination it contained 39 resources, which included seven contributing buildings, nine contributing sites, eight contributing structures, four contributing objects, four non-contributing buildings, two non-contributing sites, three non-contributing structures, and two non-contributing objects. The park was a gift from F.L. Maytag, founder of the Maytag Company, to the people of Newton. It is significant as an example of a privately funded public park during the Great Depression. The 40-acre (16 ha) partial of land was acquired by Maytag in 1935. It had previously served as the fairgrounds owned by the Jasper County Agricultural Society. He made an agreement with the city council that the park would be privately owned and operated, but open for public use. The city was required to provide water and electricity. It remained a privately owned park until 1977 when it was conveyed to the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District</span> Historic district in Iowa, United States

The Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in the central business district of Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. At the time of its nomination it consisted of 43 resources, which included 33 contributing buildings, one contributing structure, and nine non-contributing buildings. In addition, the district also contains 33 buildings that are individually listed on the National Register. This historic district is bordered by four other districts: the Crescent Warehouse Historic District and the Davenport Motor Row and Industrial Historic District on the east, the Hamburg Historic District to the northwest, and the West Third Street Historic District on the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa City Downtown Historic District</span> Historic district in Iowa, United States

The Iowa City Downtown Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. At the time of its nomination it consisted of 102 resources, which included 73 contributing buildings, one contributing site, one contributing object, 21 non-contributing buildings, and seven non-contributing objects. Eight buildings that were previously listed on the National Register are also included in the district. Iowa City's central business district developed adjacent to the Iowa Old Capitol Building and the main campus of the University of Iowa. This juxtaposition gives the area its energy with the overlap of university staff and students and the local community. The district was significantly altered in the 1970s by the city's urban renewal effort that brought about the Ped Mall, which transformed two blocks of College Street from Clinton Street to Linn Street and Dubuque Street from Burlington Street to Washington Street. It is the contributing site and the large planters/retaining walls that are original to the project are counted together as the contributing object. There are also several freestanding, limestone planters, five contemporary sculptures, and a playground area are the non-contributing objects.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. 1 2 Alexa McDowell. "Mason City Downtown Historic District". National Park Service . Retrieved April 5, 2016. with photos
  3. "Demolition of historic Kirk Apartment begins". KAAL News 6. Retrieved July 26, 2024.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Mason City Downtown Historic District at Wikimedia Commons