Ottumwa
Around Ottumwa
Photo: Gcardinal101 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Iowa · 35k people
Ottumwa
“River City”
Where the river bends and the corn grows tall
Indian Hills Community College Warriors redIowa cornfield green
Welcome to Ottumwa, where the Des Moines River runs through town and the corn is always green. Come for the small-town charm, stay for the friendly folks and the best pork tenderloin around.
Clubs for Ottumwa
No clubs for Ottumwa yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Ottumwa. 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 Ottumwa. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- American Gothic House The iconic house from Grant Wood's painting, in Eldon.
- Lake Wapello State Park State park with a lake, camping, and hiking trails.
- Greater Ottumwa Park Large municipal park along the Des Moines River.
- Bridge View Center Events arena hosting concerts, conventions, and shows.
- Wapello County Courthouse Historic courthouse in downtown Ottumwa.
- Des Moines River The river that runs through town, popular for fishing and boating.
- Outdoors Fish the Des Moines River
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Lake Wapello
- With kids Visit the American Gothic House
- With kids Swim at the municipal pool
- Evenings Catch a show at Bridge View Center
- Evenings Live music at local taverns
- Locals love small-town diners
- Locals love county fairgrounds
Through the year
- Wapello County Fair July Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and demolition derbies.
- Davis County Fair July Small-town fair with 4-H exhibits and tractor pulls.
- Monroe County Fair July Community fair in Albia with carnival and local food.
Humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Best to be outside in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild and colorful.
Talk like a local
- “pop”
- soda or soft drink
- “ope”
- a polite 'excuse me' when bumping into someone
- “crick”
- creek
- “supper”
- evening meal
Getaways
- Oskaloosa Charming town with a historic square and art center.
- Pella Dutch heritage town with windmills and great bakeries.
- Kirksville College town with shops and a lake nearby.
- Fort Madison Historic river town with a scenic downtown and bridge.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones
Eat and drink
- Iowa pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet served on a bun, a statewide staple.
- Sweet corn Fresh Iowa sweet corn, especially in late summer.
Where people go
- Small‑town diners Classic American diners serving coffee and pie, a staple of the region.
- County fairgrounds Annual fairs with livestock, rides, and local food, central to community life.
- Riverfront parks Green spaces along the Des Moines River, ideal for walking and fishing.
Heritage and traditions
Ottumwa is proud of its river town heritage, its role as the 'Pork Capital of the World,' and its quirky claim to fame as the hometown of Radar O'Reilly from M*A*S*H.
This time of year in Ottumwa
- Fall harvest festivals Autumn Celebrations with pumpkin patches and hayrides.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — About to do something.
Festivals
- Wapello County Fair July Classic small-town fair with livestock, carnival rides, and 4-H exhibits.
- Davis County Fair July Held in Bloomfield, featuring tractor pulls and local food.
- Monroe County Fair July In Albia, with a strong coal-mining heritage theme.
- Riverfest June Celebrates the Des Moines River with music, food, and river activities.
- American Gothic Days June Honors Grant Wood's iconic painting at the American Gothic House in Eldon.
- Ottumwa Pro Rodeo August PRCA-sanctioned rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and a small-town atmosphere.
Landmarks with a story
- Central Park (with Radar O'Reilly statue) Home to a bronze statue of the fictional M*A*S*H character, a beloved local landmark.
- Hotel Ottumwa A grand 1920s hotel that once hosted celebrities and now stands as a downtown icon.
- Ottumwa Public Library Built in 1901 with Carnegie funds, a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture.
- St. Mary's Catholic Church A historic parish with striking stained glass and a strong community presence.
- Coal Palace historical marker Commemorates the 1887 Coal Palace, a building constructed of coal that showcased Iowa's mining industry.
Food traditions
- Morel mushroom hunting A spring tradition where locals scour the woods for these prized mushrooms, often fried up with butter.
- Catfish dinners From the Des Moines River, locals enjoy fried catfish at summer gatherings.
- Loose meat sandwiches An Iowa diner classic, seasoned ground beef on a bun, sometimes called a 'Maid-Rite'.
- German-style bratwurst Reflecting the area's German heritage, brats are grilled and served with sauerkraut at community events.
Music and arts
- Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra A community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Ottumwa Community Theater Local theater group staging plays and musicals throughout the year.
A little history
- 1843 Ottumwa founded as a trading post on the Des Moines River.
- 1887 The Coal Palace exhibition building opens, highlighting Iowa's coal resources.
- Early 1900s Ottumwa becomes a major railroad and coal-mining hub.
- 1950s Meatpacking industry booms, earning the city the nickname 'Pork Capital of the World.'
- 1970s The TV show M*A*S*H references Ottumwa as Radar O'Reilly's hometown, leading to a statue.
Rivalries
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones The Cy-Hawk rivalry splits households every fall.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Wrestling
- Outdoors Hunting (deer and turkey)
- Outdoors Morel mushroom hunting
- With kids Ottumwa Public Library
- With kids YMCA
People in Ottumwa speak with a neutral Midwestern accent, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. They're known for being friendly and saying 'ope' when they bump into someone.
Only here
- The Radar O'Reilly statue in Central Park, a nod to the M*A*S*H character's hometown.
- The nickname 'Pork Capital of the World' from the meatpacking era.
- The Coal Palace, a building made entirely of coal, though it no longer stands.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Traffic is easy; you can get across town in 10 minutes.
- Try a loose meat sandwich at a local diner.
- Check out the Radar O'Reilly statue in Central Park.
- Embrace the small-town friendliness; people will wave at you.
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Nearby
Every areaOskaloosaIowaWhere the prairie meets the heartland.FairfieldIowaWhere golden domes meet endless cornfields.CentervilleIowaWhere the fields roll and the welcome is warmPellaIowaLocal rooms for Pella.Mount PleasantIowaSmall-town heart, big Iowa sky.GrinnellIowaRolling fields, open skies, and neighborly hearts.KirksvilleMissouriWhere rolling fields meet a vibrant campus.Fort MadisonIowaRiver town warmth on the Mississippi
Ottumwa, 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.