Le Mars — Population: 9,237
Good times always include at least two things: scrumptious food and special people. In
Le Mars, Iowa, you can find both. Home to Wells' Dairy, more ice cream is produced in Le
Mars than anywhere else in the world, resulting in the community's designation as the
"Ice Cream Capital of the World." ®
Le Mars also boasts many fine restaurants and serves as a shopping center for all of
Plymouth County and beyond. Its downtown remains the destination for retail goods and
consumer services and is the center of civic life, serving as home base to city
government, the public library and the arts. On a warm summer evening, downtown is the
center of community life with residents and guests window shopping, going to a movie or
attending an outdoor event. The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce's Main Street program,
founded in 1995, is at the center of preserving downtown's rich heritage and the spirit of
Le Mars. Visit Le Mars!
Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce
50 Central Avenue SE
Le Mars, Iowa 51031
phone: 712/546-8821
fax: 712/546-7218
e-mail: mainst@lemarscomm.net
Town History
Platted in 1869, Le Mars was established on land near the Floyd River. Founded by Captain B. F. Betsworth and his family, Le Mars was actually named by a group of six women. They accompanied railroad builder John I. Blair and a group of railroad officials as they set out to the newly plotted land, which was for sale. The women, Lucy Underhill, Elizabeth Parson, Mary Weave, Anna Blair, Rebecca Smith and Sarah Reynolds used the first initials of their first names to produce the unique name, Le Mars.
Landmarks and Unique Local Features
Downtown Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Le Mars Arts Center - Cultural opportunities abound in Le Mars' historic Carnegie Library building.
- Postal Playhouse - Le Mars' historic post office now serves as home to the Le Mars Community Theatre.
Other Unique Properties:
- "Ice Cream Capital of the World." ® Visitor Center - This visitor
center not only houses tourist information, it features a museum that demonstrates ice cream production
and displays Wells Dairy, Inc. memorabilia and a victorian-style ice cream parlor that sells tasty treats.
- Vandermeer Bakery - Open for more than 60 years, four generations have kept retail baking alive and well on Main Street Le Mars.
- Royal Twin Theater & Hollywood Video - Le Mars' two-story, white brick theater shows the latest flicks from Hollywood and rents a wide selection of videos.
- First Paved Street in Iowa and Second in the Nation - Located one-half block south of Plymouth Street West, a plaque commemorates this unique history. The original road was scored like cobblestones so horses would not slip between the Union Hotel and the Livery Stable.
Annual Events
- June - Scoop da Loop in Le Mars! - Return to the days of the '50s and '60s with entertainment, great bargains and ice cream.
- July - Ice Cream Days - Enjoy a parade, street dance, three-on-three basketball tournament, Arts and Crafts in the Park, Taste of Main, historic walking tours and more in the "Ice Cream Capital of the World."®
- July - Ridiculous Days - Shoppers won't find the savings ridiculous during this annual sidewalk sale.
- October - Halloween Parade - Downtown streets fill with little spooks parading their Halloween finery.
- November - Holiday Open Houses - Downtown merchants invite you to see their holiday best.
Low Interest Loan/Grant Programs & Commercial Property
For more information about available downtown commercial property and grant programs for downtown Le Mars business and property owners contact the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce at 712/546-8821.
Local Links
City of Le Mars
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