(56) Ida County 6.20.2025

Ida County started off in Holstein, where we stopped in at the local coffee shop, Corner Haus 101, located in a building on the historic main street. 

 

We took a cruise through town and found the library (which looked cool from the outside but was closed) and the cupola from the old community center.

The main attraction for Ida County was Ida Grove, known as “Castletown, USA” of Iowa, and we were not disappointed by the various buildings in mediaeval architecture. Ida County is home to many internationally renowned companies, including Shoreland’r, Gomaco, and Gomaco Trolley Company. The founder of Shoreland’r was a big fan of mediaeval architecture and so designed many of the buildings in Ida Grove in that style of architecture. It was definitely a site to see!

We stopped at Brownie’s Drive In for some lunch, and even that had its own “mini” mediaeval style to it!

Inside the library, we found a miniature trolley as a nod to the Gomaco Trolley Company!

We were able to go on an individualized tour of the Moorehead House Museum and the original Stagecoach Inn, both owned by the original founder of Ida County, Judge John H. Moorehead. The house was beautiful and displayed the history of Ida County.

This was the first Stagecoach Inn we’ve visited in our county trips so far. Supposedly, this is only 1 of 3 left standing in Iowa. Since this is the first one we’ve seen, we could imagine this might be true!

 

We also got to go into the 1 room school house and see the original depot. In the winter, the depot is open to warm up in, and there is a sledding hill with a tow rope that pulls you up the hill. They also have a special winter event with a trolley tour beginning at the Moorehead House Museum.

 

We rounded out Ida County with some delicious soda fountain drinks at The Farmacy, home of the original soda fountain shop in Ida Grove. 

Rate: 2

Other Things to See/Do:

• Rosemary Clausen Center, Holstein
• State Theater, Holstein
• Battle Hill Historical Marker, Battle Creek
• Skate Palace, Ida Grove
• Trolley Rides Tour of Lights, Ida Grove