Iowa Falls — Population: 5,193

Walk across the Iowa River on the Swinging Bridge. Drink in the original Art Deco atmosphere at the Princess Cafe and relish in the number of other unique restaurants and specialty shops located in the heart of downtown. Feast your eyes on the Iowa Falls Post Office, St. Matthew's-by-the-Bridge Episcopal Church, Metropolitan Theater and numerous other buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The rebirth of downtown Iowa Falls has been a product of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm by local residents and Iowa Falls Chamber Main Street. Main Street Iowa Falls was founded in the fall of 1990 and merged with the Iowa Falls Chamber of Commerce in January 1994. Situated in northeast Iowa along the Iowa River, which can be traversed from May to October on the community's Scenic City Empress Excursion Boat, Iowa Falls serves three times its population in retail sales. Visit Iowa Falls!

Iowa Falls Chamber Main Street
500 Rocksylvania Avenue
Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
phone: 641/648-5549
fax: 641/648-3702
email: chamber@iafalls.com

www.iowafallschamber.com

Town History

In 1851, the first settlement in the vicinity of Iowa Falls was established by Benjamin I. Talbot. Talbot, a Quaker, built a mill and planned to lay out a town called Rocksylvania, but people thought the name was too difficult to pronounce and spell. In 1853, it was suggested that the town be named Iowa Falls because just above Elk Run, the bed of the Iowa River was solid rock with a ripple or fall of about two feet in about 10 rods. The name Iowa Falls prevailed, but Rocksylvania is still used to refer to a specific district in the community. The architectural design of Iowa Falls' downtown buildings, which covers a variety of styles and times, hints at a history of fires.

Landmarks and Unique Local Features

Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Iowa Falls Post Office
• St. Matthew's-by-the-Bridge Episcopal Church
• Carnegie Library
• American Legion
• Edgewood Historical Society
• Iowa Falls State Bank
• Masonic Temple
• Metropolitan Theater
• Ellsworth and Jones Building
• Princess Cafe

Other Unique Properties:

• Iowa River Greenbelt Community
• Scenic City Empress Excursion Boat
• Calkins Nature Area

Annual Events

• June - Lawn Chair Nights - Free concerts in Estes Park
• July - Lawn Chair Nights - Free concerts in Estes Park
• July - Riverbend Rally - Annual Fourth of July celebration featuring a parade, talent show, carnival rides, fireworks, and kids games and fishing contest.
• September - Scenic City Car Show - Cars and Labor Day weekend go hand-in-hand in downtown Iowa Falls.
• November & December - Singing in the Holidays - Three weeks of holiday cheer featuring the Tour of Homes, Festival of Tables, Lighted Christmas Parade, live window displays, Santa, kids games and crafts, and much more.

Low Interest Loan/Grant Programs & Commercial Property

For more information about available downtown commercial property and loan and grant programs for downtown Iowa Falls business and property owners, contact Iowa Falls Chamber Main Street at 641/648-5549.

Local Links

Iowa Falls' Times-Citizen