National Register of Historic Places listings in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and special places in your town? Many communities have places that are really important to history. In Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, there's a special list of these places called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, parks, and other spots that tell us about the past.
These historic places are found all over Cerro Gordo County, including in cities like Mason City and Clear Lake. You can even find their exact locations on a map if you know their latitude and longitude coordinates!
There are 44 different properties and areas in Cerro Gordo County that are on this important list. One of them, the Surf Ballroom, is even more special because it's a National Historic Landmark. This means it's recognized as being important to the history of the entire United States!
Contents
Historic Homes and Buildings
Many of the places on the National Register are old homes and buildings. These structures show us how people lived and worked many years ago. They often have unique designs and stories.
Homes with History
Some houses on the list belonged to important people or show special architectural styles. For example, the A.J. Andrus Duplex and the Amaziah and Cornelia (Wait) Cannon House in Mason City are recognized for their historical value. The John L. Etzel House and the Rogers-Knutson House in Clear Lake are also on the list. These homes help us imagine what life was like in the past.
Important Public Buildings
Other buildings on the list were once busy places where people gathered or did business. The City National Bank Building in Mason City, built a long time ago, is a great example of a historic business place. The Elks-Rogers Hotel in Clear Lake also tells a story about travel and community life. The Mason City Public Library and the Mason City YMCA are also on this list, showing their long history of serving the community.
Parks and Public Spaces
It's not just buildings that can be historic! Parks and other public spaces can also be very important. They might have been gathering spots for generations or show special landscape designs.
East Park and Its Band Shell
East Park in Mason City is a large historic district. This means a whole area, not just one building, is considered important. Inside East Park, you'll find the East Park Band Shell. This is a special outdoor stage where concerts and events have been held for many years. Imagine listening to music there, just like people did a century ago!
Other Green Spaces
Forest Park Historic District and Parker's Woods Park Historic District are other green spaces in Mason City that are recognized for their historical significance. These parks offer a glimpse into how communities planned their outdoor areas in the past.
Bridges and Structures
Even bridges can be historic! They are important because they connect places and show how engineers built things in the past.
Connecting Communities
Several bridges in Cerro Gordo County are on the National Register. The Rock Falls Bridge over the Shell Rock River, the State Street Bridge over Willow Creek, and the Stewart Avenue Bridge over the Winnebago River are all examples. These bridges are not just ways to cross water; they are also pieces of history that show how transportation developed. The Winnebago River Bridge on U.S. Route 65 is another important historic crossing.
The Famous Surf Ballroom
One of the most famous places on the list is the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. This building is a National Historic Landmark, which is a very high honor. It's famous because it was the last place where rock and roll legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper performed before their tragic plane crash in 1959. The Surf Ballroom is still a popular music venue today, and it's a place where history truly comes alive.
Images for kids
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The A.J. Andrus Duplex
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The Amaziah and Cornelia (Wait) Cannon House
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The City National Bank Building
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The East Park Band Shell
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A steam engine, representing the history of the East Park Historic District
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The William C. and Margaret Egloff House
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The Elks-Rogers Hotel
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The John L. Etzel House
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The First Church of Christ Scientist
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The First National Bank of Mason City
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The Simon Fox House, part of the Forest Park Historic District
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The C.F. Franke House
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The E.R. Gibson House
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The Hotel Lester-Lester Cafe
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The Jewell Apartments
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The Keerl-Decker House
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The Kirk building
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The Lippert House
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The First National Bank Building, part of the Mason City Downtown Historic District
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The Mason City Public Library
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The Mason City YMCA
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The MBA (Modern Brotherhood of America) Building
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The Park Inn Hotel
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Parker's Opera House
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Entrance to Parker's Woods Park
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A building in the Rock Crest – Rock Glen Historic District
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The Rogers-Knutson House
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The George Romey House
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The Duncan Rule House
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The Chris Rye House
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St. John Baptist Church
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The Charles Seney House
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The State Street Bridge
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The Stewart Avenue Bridge
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The Dr. G.C. Stockman House
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The Surf Ballroom
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The Winnebago River Bridge
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The Mier Wolf House
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The Curtis Yelland House
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The Tessa Youngblood House
