Le Mars Downtown Commercial Historic District
Le Mars is located in northwest Iowa, which is the last part of the state to be settled. Settlement came with the railroads. The Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad was built through the region in 1869 to 1870. In June 1870, the town was platted, and two years later it won an election to move the county seat from Melbourne. It grew to become a regional economic center from the late 19th century through the post-World War II period. The historic district covers most of the city's central business district. The buildings date from c. 1879 to 1958, with historic alterations through 1962. The vast majority of the buildings serve a commercial function, with their second-story housing meeting halls, professional offices, or residential units. Other functions include light industrial, recreational, social, healthcare, and government. They are all masonry construction of red or buff brick and are from one to three stories tall. The buildings reflect the styles from the time they were built.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Kerry Davis. "Le Mars Downtown Commercial Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved November 30, 2017.