Perhaps best known for their scenic beauty, Iowa's 99 counties are a sweeping Midwest landscape of wildly underrated cities and verdant farmland dotted with rolling hills and flat plains shaped by ancient glaciers. Conveniently located approximately two hours' drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport to the north and Des Moines International Airport to the south, Cerro Gordo County in North-Central Iowa is home to a city that offers considerably more than outdoor adventures amid pictorial surroundings.
While so much big-city culture may be unexpected, Cerro Gordo's county seat, Mason City, delivers with its mix of arts, entertainment, and historical attractions. Mason City is the largest urban center in North Iowa and a place where visitors can view unique Prairie School architecture and learn about the city's rich musical legacy. If you're looking for a lively destination with an interesting cultural history, this Iowa gem is well worth discovering, and it's only a 15-minute drive from Clear Lake.
Incorporated in 1870, Mason City has a history linked inextricably to its abundance of clay and limestone resources. When the railroad came to town in 1866, local brick, Portland cement, and tile industries began to flourish, and several prominent citizens started commissioning design projects. There are plenty of architectural works to see, and this is the only city in the world where a Frank Lloyd Wright‒designed hotel remains standing. An iconic downtown building, the Historic Park Inn Hotel is worth a visit, similar to Wright's Pennsylvania house considered the "best all-time work of American architecture." Music fans and architecture buffs alike will enjoy touring the restored 1895 Queen Anne‒style boyhood home of famous American composer Meredith Willson, which gives a glimpse into the early 1900s.
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Mason City Is A Treasure Trove Of Architectural Genius
Both self-guided walking tours and docent-led tours are available to explore Mason City's key historic buildings and museums that showcase its brilliant architectural heritage. In the early 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright pioneered the distinctly American-style architecture known as the Prairie style and brought it to Mason City. Tour Wright's Stockman House and the City National Bank building, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you'll notice the flat roofs and overhanging eaves typical of Prairie style, which is inspired by the striking Midwestern landscapes. You can browse exhibits and see photos that tell the story of the city's architecture at the Robert E. McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center, where the Stockman House tour begins. Discover the world's largest group of Prairie-style homes surrounding a natural area in the Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District, most of which were designed by Wright's associates and local architects that adopted this style. With all of these notable designs, it's no wonder that Mason City ranked among "The World's 20 Best Cities for Architecture Lovers" by Condé Nast Traveler on two separate occasions.
Besides the horizontal lines that characterize Prairie style, you'll find other architectural works of art with interesting elements in this Iowa city. After you view the "Bil Baird's World of Puppets" collection at the Charles H. MacNider Museum, check out the remodeled building's exterior. Once a 1920s private home, it features English Tudor elements like wood beams and a cool imitation thatch-style cedar shingle roof. Additionally, you don't have to comb its historical archives to admire the architecture of Mason City Public Library. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie funded the renovation of this two-story edifice designed in Neoclassical style and featuring a sheltering portico and ancient Greek-inspired Doric columns.
Mason City's Musical Events And History
Native son Meredith Willson is an integral figure in Mason City's musical heritage, and a visit here takes travelers into the heartland of authentic American music. A classic Broadway hit in 1957 and adapted into a Warner Bros. movie, Willson's "The Music Man" is still drawing audiences with its Broadway revivals. Head downtown to Music Man Square and explore an attraction dedicated entirely to Willson's life and legacy. Stroll a recreation of the movie's 1912 "River City" streetscape and enjoy a frozen treat at the ice cream parlor. Browse memorabilia and exhibits at the Meredith Willson Museum, then visit the Madison Park room to see its mural and hanging display of 76 trombones, nods to one of the musical's songs and settings.
While deeply rooted in Mason City's musical heritage, its Broadway connection is a component of the locale's larger cultural arts scene. You can watch bands, choral groups, and other live music performances throughout the year at a variety of venues. If you happen to be in Mason City in the summertime, you can attend a free weekly concert and hear the Mason City Municipal Band play in the Principal Pavilion at Southbridge Mall. These performances are a longstanding tradition dating to 1920, when musicians from all corners of the United States joined the band.
There are daily flights to and from Chicago at the Mason City Municipal Airport (MCW), which is the main transportation hub for northern Iowa. One of the easiest ways to get to Mason City for overseas travelers is to fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (check out the airport's state-of-the-art, 24/7 movie theater while you're there) and rent a car to make the approximately two-hour drive to Mason City.
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