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A world capital in northwest IowaBy Jennifer Bremer A world capital in northwest Iowa is unbelievable, but this world capital will make everyone happy--the Ice Cream Capital of the World. After a trip to LeMars, it's time to learn about the heroes who set out in 1804 on an expedition across the Louisiana Territory facing unknown people, harsh conditions and unexplored lands to secure a place in history as two of the world's greatest explorers. Sioux City holds much history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and has several stops around the city to remind visitors of the voyage that took place over 200 years ago. My mom grew up in a town north of Sioux City, so we would often pass through the river city once or twice a year. But little did I know of all the history and neat places to visit--places that helped form our present-day lives. Blue Bunny Ice Cream Museum The world's largest family-owned and managed dairy processor is located in the northwest Iowa town of LeMars, also known as the Ice Cream Capital of the World. More ice cream is made in this one location than anywhere else in the world--over 120 million gallons each year. The company started in 1913 as a local milk delivery route, which, over time, expanded product offerings and distribution. Today, members from the Wells family's second, third and fourth generations continue to lead the company. Blue Bunny brand products are available in every U.S. state and more than 20 countries, through grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores and neighborhood ice cream trucks. The museum allows visitors to ponder the past-learn about the history of the company; watch it work--with a simulated factory production line; nourish your noggin by learning many of the tricks of the trade and company trivia; and then the best of all-treat your taste buds at the vintage 1920s Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. It is truly worth a trip to LeMars to get a taste of some yummy ice cream-where they say every day is a "sundae." For more information call 712-546-4090 or visit www.bluebunny.com, www.wellsdairy.com or www.bombpop.com. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center In May 1804, the great explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on an amazing expedition across the Louisiana Territory. President Thomas Jefferson ordered their 8000-mile, 2-year, 4-month and 10-day expedition after the 1803 purchase of the Louisiana Territory--820,000 square miles for $15 million. After interest, the final total came to $27,267,622. That still works out to be about 3 cents an acre. A pretty good deal, I'd say. Lewis and Clark were the first Americans to cross the vast interior of the American continent to reach the Pacific Ocean. Starting up the Missouri River on May 14, 1804 and returning two-and-one-half years later, their journey proved to be a major milestone in opening the American West. Because President Jefferson charged the Corps of Discovery with creating an accurate record of their journey and discoveries through the keeping of journals, visitors to the center receive a small personal journal in which to record their enlistment. It can be stamped throughout the exhibit as visitors learn about the journey. Outside the center flies a 15-star and 15-stripe flag that the expedition carried, next to a statue of Lewis and Clark and their companion dog, Seaman. It is an interesting story of how the two traveled the country to learn of the new purchase. For more information call 712-224-5242 or visit www.siouxcitylcic.com. Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center Sergeant Charles Floyd, an engineer soldier who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their epic 1804 expedition to the Pacific Northwest, was the only fatality of the journey. Floyd was believed to have been the first American soldier to die in the then newly purchased Louisiana Territory. Lewis and Clark did not use the Sergeant Floyd boat when they came up river in 1802. The boat, named for Sgt. Floyd, was built in 1932 and was taken out of service in 1978 and has been dry docked since 1983. The mission of the boat was for light towing, surveying and inspection work on the inland waterways, under the jurisdiction of the Missouri River Division of the U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers. The museum holds artifacts and history from the early voyages of settlers to the area. For more information call 712-279-0198 or visit www.sioux-city.org/museum. Sergeant Floyd Monument Near present day Sioux City, Iowa, Sgt. Charles Floyd died of a probable burst appendix. Lewis and Clark named the hilltop where he is buried "Floyd's Bluff" and a nearby stream, "Floyd's River." Honoring Floyd is the monument, which was dedicated May 30, 1901, overlooking the Missouri River. The 100-foot tall memorial was designated as a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1960, the first landmark to receive the honor from the U.S. government. Betty Strong Encounter Center The Betty Strong Encounter Center opened in December 2007 as an expansion of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The center seeks to encounter deeper meanings of the expedition and its transforming impact on the people, land and rivers of the area, using changing exhibits, movies and a year-round calendar of programs and activities for all ages. The Encounter Center was named after the late Betty Strong, who championed the initiative that brought riverboat gaming to Woodbury County and has resulted in the distribution of more than $14 million to Woodbury County nonprofit and governmental agencies. One of the current exhibits is pictures of "The Children of the St. Augustine Indian Mission." The portraits of the children in Native American dress are beautiful and they are accompanied by the thoughts of the children as to what is beautiful in the world. Some of my favorite quotes from the children include: "We are miracles and miracles are the most beautiful things in the world"; "God made grass, the sun, people, air and animals. They make the world special"; and "Peace and love are the most beautiful things in the world." Another exhibit at the center is called "Cornscape" and shows all the phases of raising corn in the Midwest. Also at the center you can learn about the history of the Sioux City Stockyards and even can purchase one or two books about the history of the stockyards. For more information call 712-224-5242 or visit www.siouxcitylcic.com. Roth Fountain The fountain in its entirety mirrors in its tripartite façade the historical 1915 Exchange Building formerly located in the Sioux City Stockyards area. The four over-flow basins and the hexagon shape of the outer pool surround are taken from elements in the Woodbury County Court House. In the history books, the stockyards area is referred to as "the smell of money" as that is what many would say when passing the yards in the northwest Iowa river city. The last sale in Sioux City was March 25, 2002--almost six years to the day that I visited the city. I wish I'd have been there a few years earlier so I could have experienced "the smell of money." The sign on the way out of the stockyards read, "Whether you came to buy or sell at the Sioux City Stockyards...thanks! We hope you'll come back again soon and have a safe trip home." The Roth Fountain gives visitors to the city a small taste of what the Stockyards was like and is located at 4th and Virginia in the historic downtown area. Orpheum Theatre The Orpheum is a magnificent place, but may not appear that way from the outside. The restored 1927 theatre is in the heart of Sioux City's downtown cultural district. The historic theatre, its elegant lobby and stylish bar are used for a variety of performances, ranging from jazz quartets to internationally renowned performers. The auditorium seats 2,500 people. A grand chandelier hangs in the center of the theatre. It was built in a style similar to the one which originally hung there. In the lobby, the three original chandeliers hang to delight those who enter. Located half way between Chicago and Denver, and half way between Minneapolis and Kansas City, it became a perfect stop over for acts touring the country. Thousands have attended performances at the Orpheum since opening night on Sept. 15, 2001. Many famous entertainers have performed at the Sioux City theatre, including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, BB King, Bill Cosby and George Carlin, along with Broadway series performances of Stomp, Cabaret and Footloose. The theatre is the permanent home of the Sioux City Symphony. For more information call 712-279-4850 or visit www.orpheumlive.com. Flight 232 Memorial On July 19, 1989, Flight 232, en route from Denver to Chicago, became disabled and attempted an emergency landing at the Sioux Gateway Airport. The crash resulted in the loss of 112 lives and 184 survived. Commemorating the heroic rescue efforts shown by the Sioux City community after the crash, a memorial was built on Sioux City's riverfront. The statue depicts Colonel Dennis Neilson carrying a young child to safety. The memorial was dedicated on June 5, 1994. A plaque near the statue reads, "...Rarely will an event define its people as did the community's response to this challenge. Thousands of citizens were involved in saving lives, caring for survivors and comforting relatives and friends. "The image of a man carrying a child became a symbol of our strength, compassion and unselfish commitment. Fittingly, the sculpture is entitled, 'The Spirit of Siouxland.'" The memorial is beautiful and it is a very moving experience with quotes from the day on plaques leading up to the statue. Other Attractions Sioux City is full of places to take the family for a trip back in time or when it is time for a break and a snack. The city is also home to Palmer Candies, most well known for the BING candy bar. The candy bar was first produced in 1923 and the cherry BING candy bar is still produced today and remains a Midwest regional favorite. www.palmercandy.com. Sue Bee Honey makes its home in the river city, as well. With $200 and 3,000 pounds of honey, five beekeepers located near Sioux City, Iowa, formed a cooperative marketing organization in 1921. It was named Sioux Honey Association after the city of its founding. In the early days, honey was marketed under the "Sioux Bee" label, but the name was changed in 1964 to "Sue Bee" to reflect the correct pronunciation more clearly. Sioux Honey Association has become a worldwide marketing organization. www.suebee.com. If ice cream, candy bars or honey aren't your favorite, then maybe you should visit the American Pop Corn Company. It is a family owned company that started in 1914 and processes and markets Jolly Time Pop Corn in all 50 states and around the world. The humble beginnings of American Pop Corn Company all began with Cloid Smith and his son Howard in the basement of their home on Nebraska Street in Sioux City, Iowa, just blocks away from the current location. For more information visit www.jollytime.com. For more information on the Sioux City area, visit www.sioux-city.org or www.siouxcitytourism.com. While in the area, you might want to visit Nebraska or South Dakota, too. They are only a hop, skip and a jump across the river. Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 515-833-2120 or by e-mail at jbremermaj@hotmail.com. Date: 5/8/08
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