4 Must-Visit Historic Landmarks in Marshalltown, IA
Marshalltown is always moving forward, but in many ways, it continues to be shaped by its past, with several landmark buildings and iconic businesses anchoring the community.
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1. Marshall County Courthouse
A centerpiece of downtown, the Marshall County Courthouse has come back with vigor after suffering a major hit during the 2018 tornado.
Its roots trace to 1886, but the recent renovations will have it adding onto its longevity for decades to come, as it houses county offices and courtrooms and continues to serve the public in its stately glory.
“It’s in a pretty iconic location, and it’s just majestic,” says Dorie Tammen, museum assistant with the Historical Society of Marshall County. “I love how you can see it from all around town. It’s a source of pride in our community.”
2. Hellberg’s Jewelers
Just down Main Street, a block west of the courthouse, is the iconic Hellberg’s Jewelers building, a fourth-generation jewelry store that has been in the Hellberg family since 1898 in Marshalltown. If you want to learn more, just stop in, and Vic Hellberg will tell you how his great-grandfather, William Hellberg, started the store.
Vic operates the store with his wife, Gayle, at their current Main Street location, where they’ve been since 1973. They pride themselves on finding unique treasures that are always a hit with recipients and love the feedback they get from generations of customers.
“We would not be where we are without the Hellberg’s service from all four generations,” Vic Hellberg says.
3. Taylor’s Maid-Rite
Speaking of historic family businesses, Taylor’s Maid-Rite has been in the family since 1928 and is the quintessential loose meat sandwich capital of Iowa.
Sitting down at the counter and ordering a Maid-Rite and a malt is like taking a step back in time.
Sandy Taylor Short is the owner and has carried on the lineage started by her grandparents.
“I’m proud that Taylor’s Maid-Rite has been in our family for 96 years,” Short says. “My grandparents, Cliff and Emma Taylor, bought our franchise in 1928 — it was the third Maid-Rite in the state. We are the only Maid-Rite still owned by the original family.”
They have been in the same Marshalltown location on Third Avenue since 1958.
“Maid-Rites are made from freshly ground beef. We use no seasoning or additives. We sell one sandwich, so our meat is always fresh,” Short says. “And our malts are always thick.”
Generation after generation, families continue to make memories at Taylor’s.
“I’ve had customers tell me as young farm kids, they could come to town with a quarter. Maid-Rites were a dime, malts were a nickel, and they still had a dime to go to the movie,” Short says.
4. Elmwood Country Club
For even more of a history lesson, visit Elmwood Country Club, a staple for golfers and revelers since 1896. Its beauty has stood the test of time.
“It’s gorgeous,” Tammen says of Elmwood. “There were only 10 golf courses in all of Iowa when that was put in, so it was an early golf course.”
The course includes rolling hills, but there’s much more than golf at Elmwood. Its iconic veranda provides sweeping views of the course.
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