Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
August 30, 2016

The lost buildings of Mason City, Iowa

Mason City has lost some architectural treasures over the years. Some were destroyed by the wrecking ball others were ruined by fire. Can you name other notable buildings that have been razed?

1. Cerro Gordo County Courthouse

The former Cerro Gordo County Courthouse was located in the parking lot next to City Hall. The courthouse was completed in 1902 at a cost of $64,000 and made of Bedford stone. It served Cerro Gordo County until 1960.

2. Mason City Drive-In Theater

Mason City Drive-In Theater was located across from the North Iowa Events Center.

3. Power Plant

The Mason City Electric Generating Station (5th and S. Delaware) and water cooling tower in Willow Creek, October, 1956.

4. Roosevelt Middle School

Roosevelt Middle School, built in 1939, was torn down in 2006.

5. Sears

The old Sears store was located at 23 E. State in 1956.

6. Monroe Junior High

Monroe Junior High School taken May, 1953, Mason City.

7. Lehigh Row

Lehigh Row housed cement plant laborers.

8. Sinclair Service

E.E. "Doc" Mason had his service station, Sinclair Service, at 643 S. Federal, Mason City.

9. Memorial University

Memorial University was at the site of the current Mason City school administration building. The cornerstone was laid on June 26, 1901, and opened it's doors on September 20, 1902. It was torn down in 1979.

10. Lincoln School

Lincoln School in Mason City.

11. Decker Plant

The massive Decker Meat Packing Plant was founded in 1896 and closed in 1975.

12. Park 70 Theater

The Park 70 Theater was located at the site of the current Wells Fargo building downtown.

13. Madison School

Madison School was demolished in 2015.

14. Globe Gazette

The former Globe Gazette building west of First Baptist Church in Mason City.

15. Hotel Eadmar

Hotel Eadmar was located next to the former Park 70 Theater.

16. Iowa Odd Fellows Home

The Iowa Odd Fellows Home was an orphanage. It was located on the site of the current IOOF Home and Rehabilitation Center.

17. Mechanical Air

The Mechanical Air Systems building at 425 South Federal was torn down in 2007.

18. Northbridge Properties

The 400 block of North Federal Avenue was dorn down as part of the Northbridge project.

19. Holy Family School

Holy Family Schooll demolition, Mason City.

20. Dieken Building

The former Dieken Shoe Repair building on East State street was demolished to make a parking lot.

21. Southbridge Project

Demolition during February of 1984 to make way for Southbridge Mall.

22. Harding School

Old Harding Elementary School in Mason City, just before demolition began in 1999.

23. Calvary Alliance Church

The Calvary Alliance Church was torn down to make room for Fareway.

24. St. Joseph School

St. Joseph School was ereted in 1901 and demolished in 2004.

25. Spic N Span, McGregors Furniture

Spic N Span, McGregors Furniture were located in the Southbridge Mall area.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2016

 

 

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