Belle Plaine — Population: 2878
Belle Plaine is a historic small town located in Benton County Iowa. Belle Plaine
is home to a historic downtown with beautiful architecture and great businesses.
Belle Plaine has plenty of recreational opportunities including our local golf course,
our location on the Iowa River Corridor, our fantastic park system, the Belle Plaine
area museum, and much more. While Belle Plaine is very proud of our past, we are
constantly working to improve our future. Future projects hopefully include expanding
and improving our school district, a downtown streetscape project, and building
a new aquatic facility.
Main Street Office
Is located at 826 12th Street;
Mailing Address PO Box 163 Belle Plaine, IA 52208
Town History
Belle Plaine is located on the historic Lincoln highway and the cross-country tracks
of the Union Pacific Railroad. The name "Belle Plaine" is said to mean "Belle of
the Prairie" or Beautiful Plain" and was chosen at the same time the railroad came.
In 1894 fire struck Belle Plaine destroying most of the business district. Belle
Plaine's unique architecture comes from the rebuilding process that took place from
1894 to around 1916. The Lincoln highway came through Belle Plaine in the 1920's
bringing many restaurants, hotels, and gas stations with it. Preston's gas station
still stands today as a Lincoln Highway Museum and attracts people from all over
the world. The Railroad also played an important part in Belle Plaine's history,
and still standing from those days is a beautiful English architecture railroad
depot, reportedly, one of only three remaining in the United States with that style.
Belle Plaine's history is being preserved in the Belle Plaine Area Museum, which
was built in 2004.
Landmarks and Unique Local Features
- Preston's Gas Station
- Railroad Depot
- Jumbo Well
- Belle Plaine Area Museum
Annual Events
- Easter Egg Hunt — Easter weekend
- July 4 Celebration — Includes parade, fireworks, music, and
much more.
- Civil War Days — 3rd Weekend in September
- Trunk or Treat — October 31
- Christmas Weekend — Normally first weekend in December
Local Links
[www.belleplaineiowa.us]
[www.belleplainecommunitydevelopment.com]