Belle Plaine, Iowa

Welcome to Belle Plaine, Benton County’s second largest city. With nearly 2,900 residents, Belle Plaine is located along the original Lincoln Highway, the Iowa River Corridor and the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway, which stretches from Le Grand in Tama County to the Amana Colonies in Iowa County.

Belle Plaine was founded as a railroad town in 1862. Impressed with the view of tall prairie grasses and wooded areas to the south along the Iowa River, its early pioneers named the new settlement Belle Plaine, which in French means “beautiful plain.”

With the railroad came prosperity, and the city experienced tremendous growth. Land was purchased so quickly a town square was never built.

Both the railroad and Lincoln Highway played a major role in the city’s history. Visitors will find evidence of their strong influence throughout the community. See information elsewhere in this guide for a rundown of Belle Plaine’s historic attractions.

Belle Plaine gained the attention of people worldwide in 1886 when an artesian well dug for fire protection on the city’s south side erupted and flowed unchecked for 14 months. Many tried fruitlessly to choke the well closed as Jumbo continued to belch fossils, rock, sand and wood along with millions of gallons of water. Young boys hawked Jumbo’s water, claiming it would cure all types of ills. A local man finally stemmed Jumbo’s tide. Today, a boulder and plaque mark the well site on the corner of Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue.

While honoring its past, Belle Plaine is making great strides toward its future. Named a Main Street Iowa Community in 2008, the city is moving forward with a progressive and green downtown revitalization plan. This year Belle Plaine received a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to improve building facades in the downtown area. Early this spring it applied for a $513,000 Vision Iowa Community Attractions and Tourism grant from the Iowa Department of Economic Development for signage, historic and cultural elements in the business district.

The city’s dream of a new outdoor swimming facility will become a reality this year when the $2.7 million Belle Plaine Area Family Aquatic Center opens for business May 29 at the site of the former municipal pool in Franklin Park.

Aquatic center funding came through passage of a $2.1 million bond issue in 2008, a $96,000 Community Attractions and Tourism grant through the Iowa Department of Economic Development, a $500,000 gift from the Mansfield Foundation and numerous donations from local and area businesses and organizations.

The aquatic center features 1 and 3-meter diving boards, an open flume slide, five 25-meter lap lanes, a kiddy water slide, floor geysers and renovated bathhouse.

The Belle Plaine Community School District provides top-notch education to 564 preschool through 12th graders. Excitement is in the air as completion nears on a $9 million construction and remodeling project at Longfellow Elementary School and the high school. When finished this summer, the additions and renovations will bring all elementary students under one roof at Longfellow Elementary and provide a new wing for seventh and eighth graders at the present high school. The century-old Central Elementary School, formerly the high school, and Lincoln Junior High buildings will be closed for instructional purposes at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year.

Other educational opportunities are available in Belle Plaine at the Tippie-Mansfield Kirkwood Center, which offers high school completion and adult education classes on-site and through the Iowa Communications Network.

Since 1975, Belle Plaine has supported a municipal Parks and Recreation Department and full-time director. Many activities are held in Franklin Park, located one block from the business district. Youth programs include T-ball, Little League baseball, softball, golf lessons, swim lessons, playground activities and sport camps.

The Belle Plaine community is served by a 39-member, highly trained local volunteer fire department, the Belle Plaine Area Ambulance Service and a police department staffed by certified officers 24/7.

Major manufacturers include Iowa Mold and Engineering Inc., located in the Mansfield/Tippie-Airport Industrial Park on the city’s southwest side, Iowa Metal Products and Pierce Lumber Inc.

Belle Plaine hosts several yearly celebrations, including an Old Fashioned Fourth of July, Halloween Trunk or Treat on Main Street and Christmas Homecoming.

The residents of Belle Plaine welcome you and are eager to make your visit or permanent stay a pleasant one. If you have questions about our community, please visit City Hall, 1207 Eighth Ave., (319) 444-2200, or the Belle Plaine Community Development Corp. office at 826 12th St., (319) 434-6481.The city Website is: www.belleplaineiowa.us.

HISTORIC INTEREST

Belle Plaine Area Museum, 901 12th St., is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 1 to 4 p.m., Sundays 2 to 4 p.m. for special events and anytime by appointment by calling (319) 434-2079.

Built in 2004, the museum features permanent displays of Belle Plaine history, the Lincoln

Highway, Funk’s Bros. Seed Co., Native American artifacts, military uniforms and a variety of other displays. Admission is by donation.

An 18-by-25 foot sculpted brick mural, “The Legacy,” depicts 150 years of area history is on view on the museum’s exterior west wall. At a cost of $105,000, the mural is the largest of its kind in the state and was designed by artist Gary Anderson, creator of Cedar Rapid’s Tree of Five Seasons.

The train depot, located on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 11th Street, is one of only three in the United States designed with 19th century English-style architecture. The depot is now privately owned and vacant.

Historic murals created by The Walldogs, international sign painters and artists, are on display on exterior walls in the city’s business district and on a grain bin at the intersection of Highways 30 and 131 north of town. Based on old photographs and artists’ research, the colorful murals bring to life key aspects of the community’s history: the railroad, Jumbo Well, the Lincoln Highway and historic downtown buildings. Look for murals on the east wall of Country Foods (intersection of Highway 21 and Seventh Avenue); on the east wall of the Montgomery Building at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and 12th Street; on the east side of the True Value store, 827 12th St., and on the grain bin at the Highway 30 and 131 intersection.

Jumbo Well was an artesian well that ran amok for 14 months beginning in 1886. A granite boulder on the corner of Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue marks the site where workers hit pressurized water while drilling a well for fire protection on the city’s south side. A fountain replicating Jumbo Well is located in the Belle Plaine Area Museum courtyard. Jumbo Well is also memorialized on a mural at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and 12th Street, five blocks north of the well site.

Preston’s Station, located on the original Lincoln Highway, is an 86-year-old former gas station and museum on the corner of Fourth Avenue and 13th Street. Displayed on the exterior are old highway and advertising signs. Preston’s station is considered by many to be among the best-loved icons along the Lincoln Highway. Hundreds of tourists stop yearly for photographs and to view highway memorabilia and other eclectic collections gathered by the Preston family.

The Herring Hotel was once a Lincoln Highway landmark where notables such as Teddy Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryant stopped for a restful night’s sleep in luxurious accommodations. Former railroad engineer William P. Herring built the hotel on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 13th Street in 1900 and dubbed it “The Swellest Little Hotel in Iowa.” Now privately owned and vacant, the Herring Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. Owners hope to secure funding for needed repairs and eventually renovate portions of the hotel for community use.

The King Theatre is a nostalgic movie theatre that has changed little since it opened in 1930. Moviegoers will find the theatre, located on the west end of the business district, brimming with cinema memorabilia and décor reflecting a bygone era. Check out the original ticket booth complete with glass window and red velvet drape. Exclusively family-owned for 80 years, the King Theatre is operated today by Steve Mansfield, great-nephew of theatre builder Milton Mansfield. Movies are usually shown Friday through Sunday evenings, with Saturday and Sunday matinees for children’s or family movies. Theatre phone: (319) 434-6025.

The F.L. Sankot Case Implement garage at 807 13th St., on the original Lincoln Highway, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Members of the Sankot family have operated it since 1914. (319) 444-2262.

Oak Hill Cemetery is located on East 13th Street and is noted for the plots arranged in a broken wagon wheel pattern. The reason for the pattern has been lost to history. The cemetery is the resting place of Bohemian philosopher and Free Thinker Ladimir Klacel, who died in Belle Plaine while visiting a local businessman in the late 1800s.

BELLE PLAINE PARKS AND RECREATION

Belle Plaine is proud of its five city parks, where residents and visitors will find beautiful open spaces for a wide variety of leisure activities.

Franklin Park is the city’s largest park, with 28 acres of trees and open grass areas. The main entrance is at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 11th Street. Franklin Park is home to the Belle Plaine Area Family Aquatic Center, set to open Saturday, May 29. (See separate entry below). The park features tennis courts, a baseball field, restrooms, two shelters available for rent and four camping sites with electricity. To reserve campsites or shelters, contact City Hall, 1207 Eighth Ave., or phone (319) 444-2200.

Anderson Park, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 11th Street, is a neighborhood park featuring a creative play area with new playground equipment, a shelter and restrooms.

Box Memorial Park, on the east side of town between East 13th and 15th streets, is the city’s newest park. Featured are a gazebo, shelter house with restrooms and a one-third mile concrete walking trail surrounded by trees, wildflowers and flower gardens. Box Park is a popular place for a relaxing stroll or brisk walk.

Williams Park is located at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and 16th Street. This neighborhood park boasts a playground, basketball court, shelter house and restrooms. To reserve the shelter, contact City Hall at (319) 444-2200.

Wille Park is a small park on the city’s south side and an ideal location for a picnic. You’ll find it on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Sixth Street.

A 12-hole, 22-acre disc golf course at Franklin Park is available for play anytime except during tournaments in August and February. Dates of this summer’s tournament are yet to be announced. Discs may be purchased or rented at City Hall. Information: Parks and Recreation Director at (319) 444-2200.

Belle Plaine Area Family Aquatic Center in Franklin Park will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, May 29, beginning at 11 a.m. The $2.7 million project features 1 and 3-meter diving boards, an open flume slide, five 25-meter lap lanes, a kiddy water slide, floor geysers and a renovated bathhouse. Regular pool hours: 1-7 p.m. daily; adult lap swim, noon to 1 p.m.; family night every Wednesday. Daily admission: Age 4 and older, $3.50; Tots age 3 and under, $2. Information: Parks and Recreation Director (319) 444-2200 or pool phone (319) 444-3955.

The Belle Plaine Country Club is a 9-hole course located at 911 13th Ave. It is open to the public except Wednesdays after 3 p.m. and Thursdays after 12 p.m. during league play. Phone: (319) 444-3113.

BELLE PLAINE CITY COUNCIL

Mayor James R. Daily - Term ends Dec. 31, 2011

Harold Ealy, Mayor Pro-Tem - Term ends Dec. 31, 2011

Garrison Reekers, Councilman-At-Large, Term ends Dec. 31, 2013

Marv DeRycke, Council 1st Ward, Term ends Dec. 31, 2013

Craig Van Scoyoc, Councilman-At-Large, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011

James Kurovski, Councilman 3rd Ward, Term ends Dec. 31, 2013

The mayor and council are elected to four-year terms. Council meetings are the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1207 Eighth Ave., and are open to the public. To be on the agenda, contact the mayor, a council member, City Administrator Bill Daily or City Clerk Kaye Buch.

Belle Plaine City Hall is located at 1207 Eighth Ave. Offices in City Hall include the mayor, city administrator, city clerk, parks and recreation and police. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. City Hall can be reached at (319) 444-2200 or by fax at (319) 444-2113.

Water bills are due and payable by the 15th of each month at City Hall. For convenience, a payment drop box is located on the south side of City Hall for after-hours payment. Automatic payment is also available.

BELLE PLAINE CITY STAFF

Bill Daily, Belle Plaine City Administrator

Email: cityadminbp@netins.net

Kaye Buch, MMC, City Clerk/Treasurer

Email: bpcityof@netins.net

Sue Bevins, Assistant City Clerk/Police

Transcriptionist

Email: cityofbp@netins.net

Kyle Spading, Park & Recreation Director

Email: parkandrec@netins.net

Bruce Jacobs, Working Group Leader

Email: cityofbp@netins.net

Jennifer Zahradnik, City Attorney

Email: jlgocke@netins.net

PUBLIC SAFETY

For emergencies dial 911

Belle Plaine Area Ambulance Service

1319 13th St.

Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-3808

Belle Plaine Police Department

1207 Eighth Ave.

Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-2323

Police Chief

Kris Hudson

Belle Plaine Fire Department

504 13th St.

Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-2344

Fire Chief

Russ Spading

UTILITY INFORMATION

Water/sewer – City of Belle Plaine (319) 444-2200

Electric/gas – Alliant Energy (800) 822-4348

Phone service– Coon Creek Telecommunications (888) 823-6234

Windstream – (800) 347-1991

Cable television – Coon Creek Telecommunications or Mediacom (800) 542-7898

Internet – netINS 1-515-830-0110; Windstream; Mediacom

Trash and Recycling – Waste Management – (800) 542-8392

EDUCATION

Belle Plaine Community School District

www.belle-plaine.k12.ia.us

Administrative Offices

707 Seventh St., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-3611

Belle Plaine Community Junior/Senior High School,

610 13th Ave., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-3720

Longfellow Elementary

707 Seventh St., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-3002

Tippie-Mansfield Kirkwood Center

1214 Ninth Ave., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-2549

SERVICES

Area Substance Abuse Council

819 12th St., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-4309

Belle Plaine Community Library

904 12th St., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-2902

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon.

Belle Plaine Food Pantry

1210 Eighth Ave., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

Open Tuesdays, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Belle Plaine Post Office

1008 13th St., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-2340

Belle Plaine Senior Dining

1309 Fifth Ave., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-3135

Benton County Veterans Affairs

Belle Plaine office

1309 Fifth Ave., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

Charles James, Director

Office hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Thursday

(319) 444-2019

Department of Correction Services

819 12th St., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

(319) 444-3003

Drivers License Station

Belle Plaine Community Center

1509 Fifth Ave., Belle Plaine, IA 52208

Wednesday, noon to 5 p.m.

(319) 444-2109

WHERE TO WORSHIP IN BELLE PLAINE

Christ United Methodist Church

708 15th St.

(319) 444-2410

Rev. James Campbell

Email: bpcumc@netins.net

First Lutheran Church-LCMS

1523 Sunset Drive

(319) 444-2849

Rev. Dean Duncan

Email: flc@netins.net

First Congregational United Church of Christ

1400 Eighth Ave.

(319) 444-2341

Rev. Brian “Pete” Hagglund

Email: revpete@iowatelecom.net

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day

Saints

1514 First Ave.

(319) 444-2775

Rick L. Sparks, Branch President

Faith Baptist Church

1168 78th Street Trail

(319) 444-2966

Rev. Mike Stombaugh

Restitution Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith

10th Street at Second Avenue

(319) 623-8096

Pastor Delbert Rankin

St. Michael Catholic Church

1302 Ninth Ave.

(319) 444-3106

Father Mike Mescher

Deacon Joe Behounek

Christian Fellowship Church

1009 Seventh Ave.

(319) 444-3336

Rev. Jack Andrews

Email: pastorjackandrews@yahoo.com