Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Le Mars (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, Plymouth County Historical Museum, and Le Mars Public Library. Also, be sure to include The Browns Century Theater in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Le Mars (Iowa).
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Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Museum
Visitor center, Ice cream, History museum, Museum
Address: 115 Central Ave NW, 51031-3518 Le Mars
Plymouth County Historical Museum
Museum in Le Mars, Iowa. Plymouth County Historical Museum is located in Le Mars, Iowa, United States. The building was originally Le Mars Central High School. The first school building in the city was constructed on this block in 1876. It was torn down in 1905 when the center part of this building was completed in 1905. The two-story, brick, Colonial Revival structure was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Atchison and Edbrooke. Contractor for the project was John A. Huxtable of Le Mars. All 12 grades and the school district's administration were housed in the building. The first addition made to the school was completed in 1924. Sympathetic in style to the original building, the addition was designed by Beuttler & Arnold of Sioux City, and constructed by Devereux and Olsen of Minneapolis. It runs south and then west of the 1905 building and includes the gymnasium and auditorium. The final addition was completed in 1952 by Nemmers Brothers of Le Mars. Built onto the north side of the original building, it is typical of the 1950s "Industrial" style, and was designed by Beuttler as well.
The senior high school was the first division to leave the building in 1965 when the present Le Mars High School was completed. The junior high school moved to its own building in 1972. The school district housed the elementary school in the 1952 addition until 1980 when it closed the building. The Plymouth County Historical Society occupies the 1924 addition, and utilizes the space for their local history museum. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.[1]
Address: 335 1st Ave SW, Le Mars
Le Mars Public Library
Public library in Le Mars, Iowa. Le Mars Public Library is located in Le Mars, Iowa. It is the largest library in Plymouth County and has been in operation since 1876.[2]
Address: 46 1st St SW, 51031 Le Mars
The Browns Century Theater
Concerts and shows, Theater
Address: 11 Central Ave NW, 51031-3517 Le Mars
Plymouth County Courthouse
Courthouse. The Plymouth County Courthouse located in Le Mars, Iowa, United States, was built in 1891. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. The courthouse is the fourth building the county has used for court functions and county administration.[3]
Tonsfeldt Round Barn
Building in Le Mars, Iowa. The Tonsfeldt Round Barn is a historic building located on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in LeMars, Iowa, United States. It was built in 1918 to house H.P. Tonsfeldt's purebread Polled Hereford cattle, and prize bull, on his farm west of the city. The building is a true round barn that measures 82 by 68 feet. The barn features white horizontal siding, an aerator and a Gothic curved roof. The self-supporting Gothic-arch dome of this barn is a unique feature on Iowa's round barns. In 1981 the barn was moved from the farm to the fairgrounds in order to preserve it. It is now used for exhibit space. The barn has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986.[4]
Sacred Heart Hospital
Sacred Heart Hospital, also known as the Floyd Valley Apartments, is an historic building located in Le Mars, Iowa, United States. Construction of the building began in 1921. It was designed by Sioux City architect William Steele and Riesche & Sanborn was the contractor. The five-story brick structure was completed two years later for $350,000. The Sisters of St. Francis from Dubuque operated the hospital for the next 43 years. In addition to the hospital, the building also housed Sacred Heart Nursing School from 1923 to 1938. On December 1, 1966, the City of Le Mars took over the operation of the hospital, which was renamed Floyd Valley Hospital at that time. They continued to use the Sacred Heart building. A capital campaign to build a new facility was begun in 1972, and the present hospital on Iowa Highway 3 was completed in 1976. This building has subsequently been converted into apartments. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.[5]