Cedar Falls — Population: 36,145
First settled in March 1845, the site for Cedar Falls, Iowa, was selected because of
the water power afforded by the Cedar River. As early as 1859, Main Street was the
commercial center for farmers who brought grain and stock into town from more than 100
miles away. While the days of the grain elevators and the millrace are long past, downtown
Cedar Falls continues to serve as the city's thriving central business district.
The rebirth of downtown Cedar Falls has been a product of hard work, dedication and
enthusiasm by local residents and Community Main Street, Inc., founded in 1987. Today,
with banking and finance, the Cedar Falls Public Library, post office, City Hall, Cedar
Falls Community Theatre and many other services and activities present, downtown links the
citizenry to the area's history, cultural amenities and businesses. It is easy to see why
the 36,000 residents of Cedar Falls call the 20-block downtown area the "Heart of the
City." Visit Cedar Falls!
Community Main Street, Inc.
P.O. Box 367
117 Main Street
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
phone: 319/277-0213
fax: 319/277-9474
Town History
The Cedar River drops about six feet during its half-mile course from Franklin Street
to the U.S. Highway 58 bridge. This geological feature determined Cedar Falls location,
its name, and its early principal industry of milling. Cedar Falls also was known as a
railroad city in the late 19th century, when four lines connected in the city. Andrew
Mullarky came to the new settlement in 1850 and established the Black Hawk Store to
provide necessities for settlers. The upstairs of this small building was used for storage
of county records; thus, it became the first courthouse in Black Hawk County.
Landmarks and Unique Local Features
Downtown Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Oster Regent Theatre - Frank Cotton built the theatre in 1909-10 to
accommodate theatre troupes, vaudeville acts and audiences of 1,000. Later, the theatre
became a motion picture house and was recently restored to its original use and now serves
as home to the Cedar Falls Community Theatre.
- Ice House Museum - Constructed in 1921 by Hugh Smith for his Cedar
Falls Ice & Fuel Company, this building originally stored ice cut from the nearby
Cedar River and later was used as a livestock sales pavilion, ice skating rink and boat
club before becoming the Ice House Museum in recent years.
- Broom Factory - Built as a cornstarch factory in 1862, this riverfront
structure eventually became a broom factory and pickle business in 1905 and now serves as
The Old Broom Factory Restaurant.
- Serpentine Road - A bending road that travels through the Main Street
district and is complemented by wide sidewalks, sculptures, pedestrian centers and
landscaping.
Annual Events
- June/July - Sidewalk Sale - Bargains galore and
children's games are enjoyed by all during this one-day sale in June.
- August - Magic on Main - Explore the creativity of area
student artists at this outdoor arts festival that includes activities for all ages.
- September - Names on Main - Similar to the famous
walkway in Hollywood, Community Main Street annually recognizes a local artist who has
made a substantial impact on their artistic profession. Award winners have included
illustrator Gary Kelley, novelist Nancy Price and actress Annabeth Gish.
- October - Panthers on Main - Recognizes and celebrates
University of Northern Iowa athletics the week of homecoming with a pep rally, games and
food booths.
- October - Halloween on Main - Halloween activities for
kids and in-store specials make trick-or-treating in downtown Cedar Falls fun for all
ages.
- November/December - Holiday on Main - Christmas
activities for the whole family are provided on Saturdays during the holiday season in
downtown Cedar Falls.
Low Interest Loan/Grant Programs & Commercial Property
For information about available downtown commercial property and low
interest loan and facade improvement grant programs for downtown Cedar Falls business and
property owners, contact Community Main Street at 319/ 277-0213.
Local Links
Cedar Falls Community
Main Street's local Web site
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