Marshalltown
Around Marshalltown
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Town and around · Iowa · 40k people
Marshalltown
“Heart of Iowa”
Where the heart of Iowa beats with small-town warmth.
Iowa Hawkeyes GoldIowa State Cardinal
Welcome to Marshalltown, where the Iowa River runs through town and the dirt track roars on summer nights. Whether you're here for the fair, the fishing, or just a good pork tenderloin, you'll find a friendly community that loves its local roots.
Clubs for Marshalltown
No clubs for Marshalltown yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Marshalltown. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Marshalltown. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Meskwaki Settlement Tribal community and cultural center in nearby Tama
- Iowa Veterans Home Historic veterans care campus in Marshalltown
- Marshalltown Speedway Dirt track racing venue with weekly events
- Grimes Farm and Conservation Center Trails, prairie, and education center
- Riverview Park Park along the Iowa River with picnic areas
- Orpheum Theater Historic theater hosting concerts and shows
- Outdoors Walk or bike the trails at Grimes Farm
- Outdoors Fish or kayak on the Iowa River
- With kids Visit the Marshall County Fair
- With kids Attend a high school football game
- Evenings Catch a race at the speedway
- Evenings See a concert at the Orpheum
- Locals love Dirt track racing nights
- Locals love County fair gatherings
Through the year
- Marshall County Fair July July
- Tama County Fair July July
- State Center Sweet Corn Festival August August
- Gladbrook Corn Carnival August August
- Orpheum Theater summer concert series Summer Summer
Hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable, with mild days and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “pop”
- soda
- “supper”
- evening meal
- “you bet”
- you're welcome
- “ope”
- excuse me
Getaways
- Ames College town with culture and nightlife
- Waterloo Historic river city with museums and events
- Des Moines State capital with dining, arts, and sports
- Pella Dutch heritage town with canal and festivals
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA DI), Iowa State Cyclones (NCAA DI)
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A classic Iowa sandwich, often oversized, found in small-town diners and taverns.
- Maid-Rite loose meat sandwich The Maid-Rite chain originated in Iowa; the Marshalltown location is a local institution.
- Sweet corn Iowa sweet corn is a summer staple, often served at county fairs and family gatherings.
Where people go
- Family farms and grain elevators The landscape is dotted with corn and soybean fields, silos, and grain elevators.
- Small-town main streets Each town has a historic downtown with mom-and-pop shops, cafes, and a county courthouse.
- Meskwaki Settlement Located near Tama, the Meskwaki Nation is a significant cultural and historical presence.
- Iowa Veterans Home A large state-run facility in Marshalltown, a landmark and employer.
- County fairs Annual county fairs celebrate agriculture, livestock, and community.
Heritage and traditions
Marshalltown is proud of its small-town Iowa character blended with a rich immigrant heritage, especially the strong Mexican-American community that has shaped its food, festivals, and culture, as well as its legacy in agriculture and manufacturing.
This time of year in Marshalltown
- Harvest festivals and football Fall Fall brings harvest events and high school football.
Say it like a local: “Supper” — The evening meal
Festivals
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration May Vibrant celebration of Mexican heritage with music, dance, and authentic food.
- Art in the Park June Local artists and craftspeople gather at Riverview Park for a weekend of creativity.
- Christmas in the Park December Riverview Park transforms into a winter wonderland with light displays and holiday cheer.
Landmarks with a story
- Marshall County Courthouse A grand 19th-century courthouse still in use today.
- Carnegie Library Built in 1903 with Carnegie funds, now a community landmark.
- Central Business District A well-preserved commercial district with many historic buildings.
- First United Methodist Church A historic church with beautiful stained glass and architecture.
Food traditions
- Tacos and tamales Local taquerias serve authentic Mexican fare, a legacy of the city's meatpacking-era immigration.
- German sausage and sauerkraut Early German settlers brought sausage-making traditions, still enjoyed at family gatherings.
- Barbacoa and carnitas Slow-cooked meats from Mexican traditions, often served at weekend family gatherings.
- Homemade pie at church suppers A classic Iowa tradition, with pies as the centerpiece of community meals.
Music and arts
- Latin music scene Mariachi and banda music are popular, reflecting the Mexican-American community.
- Community theater at the Orpheum Local productions and traveling shows bring live theater to town.
- Local art guild and murals Public murals and community art projects add color to downtown.
A little history
- 1853 Founded in 1853, named after Marshalltown, Michigan.
- 1860s Grew rapidly with the arrival of the railroad in the 1860s.
- 1852 Cap Anson, baseball pioneer, born here in 1852.
- 20th century Meatpacking industry attracted immigrant workers in the 20th century.
- 1893 Marshalltown Company, maker of trowels, founded in 1893.
Rivalries
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones College football rivalry
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Marshalltown Community College athletics
- Outdoors Hunting pheasants in the fall
- Outdoors Snowmobiling in winter
- With kids Marshalltown Aquatic Center
- With kids Marshalltown Historical Society Museum
Locals speak with a typical Midwestern accent, using 'pop' for soda and 'you bet' for affirmation. Spanish phrases are also common due to the large Latino community.
Only here
- The Marshalltown trowel, a globally recognized masonry tool, is manufactured here.
- The Meskwaki Settlement is the only federally recognized tribe in Iowa.
- The Iowa Veterans Home is one of the largest in the nation.
- The Marshalltown Speedway hosts national racing events.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the cold winters; invest in a good coat.
- Try a taco from a local taqueria for authentic Mexican flavor.
- Learn to love cornfields; they're everywhere.
- Get to know the Meskwaki culture at the Settlement.
- Be prepared for the wind; it's always blowing.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaGrinnellIowaRolling fields, open skies, and neighborly hearts.AmesIowaHome of the Cyclones, where cornfields meet campus life.Iowa FallsIowaWhere the Iowa River runs through the heartlandWaterloo–Cedar FallsIowaWhere the Cedar River flows and the Panthers roarPellaIowaLocal rooms for Pella.Des MoinesIowaWhere the heartland meets the fairOskaloosaIowaWhere the prairie meets the heartland.Cedar RapidsIowaWhere the river meets the prairie, and the kolaches are warm.
Marshalltown, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.