Bob and I had a lovely, sunny day to explore Mason City. This city, of approximately 28,000, has the Winnebago River running through it to give it its moniker of River City. Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo (named for a battle in the Mexican-American War) County in Northern Iowa. The city is about a two hour drive north of Des Moines and a similar length south of Minneapolis.
While there is evidence of some hard economic times (a mall with only 2 open stores and other closed stores in the downtown area), Bob and I still enjoyed a walk around the greater downtown area, which was highlighted with lots of public art, more examples of Prairie School architecture, an art museum, public library, and a tease of Music Man square. We saw evidence of the work of the 3 famous people (so far) tied to this small town.
directly across from The Historic Park Inn Hotel
in the downtown area
designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
One of the highlights of the walk was the local art museum, which had a lovely second floor meditation space (with a big head sculpture), a collection of puppets from Bil Baird, who grew up in Mason City, and some Monet-inspired paintings from an Midwestern artist.
originally built in 1921 as a family residence in the Tudor style
This is titled the “Book Peddlers.”
author of “The Music Man.”
which is sadly closed until April.
It recreates the stores, etc. from the street scenes of the play.
Peckish Travels 