MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa — The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Education rejected pleas from community members and an offer to repurpose the beloved P.E.O. Memorial building, instead voting to move forward with demolition plans. Allowing another entity to repurpose the building could save the School District nearly a half-million dollars in demolition costs, […]
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Category: historic architecture
Death of a queen: Heartbreaking end to i...
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — The “Queen of Hearts” mansion in Marshalltown met its end after a last-ditch effort to save the iconic home. While several individuals tried online fundraising in hopes of moving the early-1900s structure, owner Todd Hollingworth took out a demolition permit last week and the mansion was demolished on Sept. 23, 2025. The […]
Final days of Iowa’s Queen of Hearts man
UPDATE: The mansion was demolished on Sept. 23, 2025. See more: Death of a queen MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — The dusty floors, boarded windows and cracked porch spindles belie the opulence of the once-majestic mansion dubbed by locals as the “Queen of Hearts.” “It’s long past gone,” owner Todd Hollingworth said of the Marshalltown mansion. “It’s […]
Brucemore throws birthday party for Gran...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One hundred years ago, Irene Douglas noted in her check register the payment of $182 for her daughter Barbara’s sleeping porch. That August 1925 payment was to artist Grant Wood, just five years before his iconic “American Gothic” painting was completed at his Cedar Rapids studio. Brucemore hosted a birthday party […]
Pieces of New Bohemia history wiped away...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Warehouses built to showcase a stone company, which stood strong for more than a century in New Bohemia, have been demolished to make way for parking. The two small buildings that were later adjoined at 316 Ninth Ave. SE most recently were used by T & M Services, an office installation […]
Cedar Rapids School Board to vote in May...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education heard details of a new bond proposal at its April 28, 2025, meeting. Initially proposed at $210.6 million, with a new $104 middle school, the proposal was revised to omit the new school. The new proposal has a $117 million price tag. […]
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy showcases new ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Hundreds of supporters streamed through the doors of the former Arthur School as the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy hosted an open house at its new location. Executive Director Heather Wagner greeted visitors to the school, 2630 B Ave. NE, on a summer-like day on Friday, March 28, 2025. The nonprofit had […]
Historic New Bohemia building in Cedar R...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The new owner of the historic Matyk Building in New Bohemia said the future of the corner landmark remains unclear. Kory Nanke, who purchased the building last month, said in an email that he is working with Iowa’s State Historic Preservation Office and local building officials to make that determination. “Lots […]
Chapman Fun World spotlighted in new boo...
Note: Justin Beahm will have a book signing at Half Price Books, 1400 Twixt Town Rd NE, Marion, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Filmmaker and writer Justin Beahm remembers racing to the spaceball cages as soon as his parents paid admission at Chapman Fun World during his youth. “It […]
Mansion with storied past listed for sal...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One of the last-standing mansions in a neighborhood once lined with grand homes has been listed for sale. Most recently known as the Moniker 86 Social Club, the mansion, at 821 Third Ave. SE, is listed for sale for $385,000. See interior photos on Zillow According to the Cedar Rapids Assessor’s […]