Discover the Wonders of “Castle Town” in Ida Grove Iowa
In Western Iowa, the small town of Ida Grove looks like it’s been plucked from medieval times and placed in the heart of the Midwest. In reality, Ida Grove is just a town with a lot of castles, thanks to the imagination and the vision of one local businessman.
Since the 1970s, castle-like structures and castle-themed buildings have been built all over town, cementing Ida Grove’s reputation as “Castle Town USA.”
From the castle welcoming visitors to town to a castle roller skating rink to several other local businesses, Ida Grove’s castles make it a must-visit destination not only in Iowa, but in the Midwest.
A Town Filled With Fascinating Castles
The Midwest is home to many magnificent castles and castle-like structures, but Ida Grove takes its passion for castles to another level with more than a half dozen structures built around town.2
So how did all of Ida Grove’s castles come to be? The answer lies in a local businessman and the company he built in Ida Grove.
Businessman Byron Godbersen founded Midwest Industries in Ida Grove — a manufacturer of small farm and marine equipment. Godbersen was a fan of castle design — which came after seeing European castles on a trip to Europe — and that became a hallmark of the many buildings that his employees constructed.
Many of the castles are privately owned, but they all stand tall with their tall towers, and intricate construction as proud symbols of Ida Grove.
Airport Hangar Castle
200-234 Main St, Ida Grove, Iowa
Located at the northwest end of the Ida Grove airport, the hangar castle was completed in 1973. The hangar is privately owned by Midwest and houses the company’s private plane along with a WACO airplane. It also serves as a local meeting spot for town meetings and Midwest company demonstrations.
City Entrance Castle
90 IA-175, Ida Grove, Iowa
One of the first castles visitors will encounter as they arrive in town is the tan-colored City Entrance Castle, which is easily identified by the words “Ida Grove” and an online of Iowa on its spire.
Courier Castle
Corner of 2nd and Moorehead streets
For many years, this “old style” castle served as the home of the weekly newspaper, the Ida County Courier, and was a familiar sight in the Ida Grove skyline downtown. While the building’s castle design draws attention from the outside, the inside has a modern design with everything needed to produce the paper.
Golf Course Bridge
5977-5979 US-59, Ida Grove, Iowa
Built during the spring of 1971, this medieval-looking stone suspension bridge spans Odebolt Creek, which runs through Ida Grove and the Ida Grove Golf Course and Country Club, making for a fun walkway as golfers play a round here.
Skate Palace
201 Oak Grove Dr, Ida Grove, Iowa
Guarded by knights on the outside, Skate Place is one of the most popular castles in town as the spot where residents and visitors alike come to roller skate, celebrate special events, and have fun. The enormous white castle with red-capped spires is a popular site in town and hard to miss for those passing through.
Midwest Industries
122 Hwy. 175, Ida Grove, Iowa
With Goldbersen at the helm, Midwest Industries grew from an agricultural company into a leader in marine industry manufacturing. In the midst of Midwest’s other castle projects, a castle-like structure was built to serve as a headquarters for its employees.
Lake LaJune Chalet and Hangar
US-59, Ida Grove, Iowa
Lake LaJune — a private eight-acre lake named after Byron’s wife LaJune — was built in 1969 and used for marine research and demonstrations by Midwest Industries. The entrance to the estate is marked by a stone arch which is flanked by castle turrets on either side.
During the summer of 1970, Midwest employees constructed a half-scale replica of the HMS Bounty on the lake. This British merchant ship is most famous for its 1789 mutiny, which later inspired the famous novel “Mutiny on the Bounty.” Byron and LaJune were later presented with a fitting from the original Bounty.
Lake LaJune is also the site of Godbersen’s private castle, which he built with its own drawbridge and moat.
Ida Grove Golf and Country Club
200 E 2nd St, Ida Grove, Iowa
The third castle project in 1971 undertaken by Midwest employees was completed less than 1,000 yards from the Golf Course Bridge and its stone tower.
Oak Grove Plaza
703 IA-175, Ida Grove Iowa
Located on the west edge of town, plans for this project and the Skate Palace began in the early 1980s, and it now serves as a town medical plaza.
Journey to See the Many Castles of Ida Grove Iowa
You won’t have to fight knights or ward off dragons to see the many castles of Ida Grove Iowa, but a trip to this Western Iowa town provides a look at some unique architecture and the impact a dedicated businessman can have on a small town.
If you’re searching for Midwest hidden gems, make your way to Ida Grove and have your camera ready. You may not be able to tour these castles, but they make some for cool photo ops in the heart of the Midwest.