Haunted Historic Building Tour: Discovering Mason City’s Storied Past

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Downtown Mason City is rich with stories — from the city’s early entrepreneurs to the visionaries who helped shape its architectural legacy. During this year’s Haunted Historic Building Tour, guests stepped inside some of Mason City’s most iconic buildings to uncover the fascinating history behind their walls.

Here’s a glimpse at the stops featured on this year’s tour:

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Ensign-Central Block Building | 13 N. Federal Avenue
Now home to the Mason City Welcome Center

Built in 1890 and designed by local architect Edward R. Bogardus, this two-story brick structure has long been part of the city’s commercial core. Over the years, it has hosted everything from grocery and drug stores to financial and professional offices, including Sterling Grocery Store, Ford Hopkins Drug Store, and Schupick & Associates, CPA. Once nearly identical to its neighboring building at 15 N. Federal, the façade was later altered and covered in stucco.

In 2025, the building entered a new chapter as the shared home of Visit Mason City and Main Street Mason City, complete with a public Welcome Center and gift shop that continues the building’s tradition of serving the community.

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The Delaware Building | 24 2nd Street NE
Home to La James College of Hairstyling

Constructed in 1924 in the Classical Revival style, the Delaware Building has seen decades of change and creativity. Its storefronts once hosted a range of local favorites, from Barrett Brothers Grocery and The Coffee Cup to Lock Studios Photography.

Since 1943, it has been the proud home of La James College of Hairstyling, founded by Laura and James Casey in 1932. The college thrived under three generations of family leadership before transitioning to new ownership in 2025, when Jessica Glenn of Bare Sugar Salon & Med Spa took the helm — ensuring the legacy of education and artistry continues in downtown Mason City.

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Markley-Youngblood Building | 205 N. Federal Avenue
Home to Splash Printing Co.

Built in 1902 by architect E.R. Bogardus, this structure carries a direct link to Mason City’s most famous architectural legacy. Its original owner, J.E.E. Markley, was instrumental in helping secure Frank Lloyd Wright to design the Park Inn Hotel.

Over the years, the building has been home to a rotating lineup of local businesses — including Diamond Brothers Grocery, Decker Bros. Sporting Goods, Douglas Insurance Agency, and Standard Glass & Paint. Today, it remains an active part of the downtown business community as Splash Printing Co.

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Birdsall’s Ice Cream | 518 N. Federal Avenue
A true Mason City icon, Birdsall’s Ice Cream has been serving up homemade goodness since 1931. Beloved for its nostalgic atmosphere and hand-dipped flavors, Birdsall’s has become more than just an ice cream shop — it’s a cherished local tradition. Families have gathered here for generations, making it one of Mason City’s sweetest historic landmarks. Though simple in structure, the building’s real legacy lies in the memories made inside.

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Preserving the Past, Celebrating the Present
Each stop on the Haunted Historic Building Tour tells a piece of Mason City’s story — one of resilience, reinvention, and community pride. From turn-of-the-century architecture to family-run businesses that have stood the test of time, these buildings remind us that history isn’t just found in museums — it’s all around us, alive and evolving in the heart of downtown.

Originally posted by Main Street Mason City via Locable