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Webster County Freedom Rock

5.0 (1 review)

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2 years ago

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Where The Music Died - 2025

Where The Music Died

4.9(17 reviews)
65.2 mi

This Iowa landmark is one of 4 (that I remember) that requires a drive in the country, while…read moreenjoying the vast stretches of rural beauty. The other 3 are the Estherville Meteorite, the highest point in Iowa (Hawkeye Point at 1670 feet), and the Field of Dreams baseball diamond. 75 years after that fateful plane crash, folks are still coming to the informal shrine to "Where the Music Died". They come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They turn into the small parking lot, not knowing for sure why they're doing it. We arrived as innocent as children, longing for the past. People will come, Ray. OK, that's from Field of Dreams, but it fits. After a brisk walk of about 1/2 mile starting from the big glasses, what I found was a stainless steel guitar and a set of three stainless steel records marking the exact spot where the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & JP ''The Big Bopper'' Richardson came to rest following their final concert at the Surf Ballroom in nearby Clear Lake. A second monument was erected on the 50th anniversary of the tragedy honoring their pilot, Roger Peterson. Waylon Jennings was also at the Surf that day, but gave up his seat to Richardson, and took the bus. When Holly learned that Jennings wasn't going to fly, he said in jest, ''Well, I hope your ol' bus freezes up'' and Jennings responded, also in jest, ''Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes''. This would haunt Jennings for the rest of his life. Dad stayed in the car while I completed my lone pilgrimage. The visit was short, the day was cool, and this fan monument was insightful and worth the trip to this lonely stretch where unfortunate history was made. I hope that any person reading this review has a chance to visit here and the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, which is the site of Buddy Holly's last performance.

Took a detour of the road during my travels today and visited the Buddy Holly Crash Site. Popular…read morespot to stop and view the crazy tragedy that occurred on 2/3/59. The trail head to the crash site (which is located in a corn field) is marked by a large pair of Buddy-Holly type glasses. You can park on the side of the road, and then walk through the corn field on a well-travelled path to the crash site, which has some fan-made memorials there. I placed my sunglasses in the middle of the bridge of Buddy Holly's glasses in the photo attached. True artists and RIP to all that past that day. RIP Highly recommend checking out this spot. Pretty cool to see.

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Where The Music Died
Where The Music Died
Where The Music Died - Memorial at crash site

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Memorial at crash site

Meredith Willson/ Music Man Footbridge

Meredith Willson/ Music Man Footbridge

5.0(2 reviews)
68.6 mi

My mother and I loved everything music man in this town. We geo cached around here and had a blast…read more Mason City is a under rated gorgeous town with the history of Music man Musical

Scenic footbridge over Willow Creek named in honor of Meredith Willson. The bridge was originally…read morebuilt so people living in the neighborhoods on the south side of the creek could more easily walk to downtown (the bridge is over a block long and quite high over Willow Creek). The view is scenic with the many trees along the bank of the creek and the water flowing along. I can remember being "impressed" as a child riding across this bridge in a stroller (a cautionary note to parents). The bridge is worth a visit and was named in honor of Meredith Willson, but please note this is not the foot bridge that is an important part of the story in Willson's "Music Man." You will find a small "Till there was you" limestone bridge located in East Park (a few steps north of the site of the original band shell). Also, a little to the west of the band shell, and on the banks of Willow Creek, you will find the foundation of an old wooden footbridge that was once a popular crossing point. Willow Creek makes an attractive turn there with a view of limestone outcroppings. Willson would have been familiar with this location, and it would have been an appropriate location for such a song.

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Meredith Willson/ Music Man Footbridge - View from bridge

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View from bridge

Mahanay Carillon Tower - More rooftop art

Mahanay Carillon Tower

5.0(2 reviews)
34.5 mi

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower plays music all day and an opportunity for visitors to have a…read moregreat view of the countryside of Greene County. The elevator takes visitors to the top from Memorial Day - Labor Day daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays in May, September & October from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Available for tours by appointment by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 515-386-2155 Cost is $3/person and free to youth 18 yrs. of age or younger compliments of Jefferson Telecom. Host a special event for up to 12 people at the top of the Bell Tower. Rent this space for $50 for a 2 hour period by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 515-3862155. A staff member will work with you on set-up and be present during your event. There are tables and chairs available for your group to enjoy the beautiful view! Restaurants in Jefferson would be happy to cater refreshments or a meal - or bring your own.

Go to the top of this tower and see a panoramic view of the community and the beautiful countryside…read morefrom the enclosed glass observation deck. You will also see the first installation of roof top art in the community. A great tour staff can tell you the story of why Jefferson has this unique structure in the downtown square. The bells ring every 15 min. It's a fun stop and if you have kids the elevator ride is worth it for them! Kids are free and adult admission cost is $3.

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Mahanay Carillon Tower - Hours

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Mahanay Carillon Tower
Mahanay Carillon Tower - Fun rooftop art to see from the observation deck

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Fun rooftop art to see from the observation deck

Fort Frenzy - With indoor and outdoor attractions, a full arcade, and now an in-facility Godfather's, there is something FUN for everyone!

Fort Frenzy

3.7(7 reviews)
3.1 mi

This review is based on a limited experience with Fort Frenzy…read more While I see from its website that there are many attractions that make up Fort Frenzy at different times, my experience is based on attending a concert here on November 6, 2024. For a concert, I highly recommend this place. I came from out of state, to start with. Venue is easy to find, easy in and easy out. Anything you could need is found about two stoplights away. Plenty of parking. Very accessible space. Clean. The sound was big! Standing room only type space but I did spot an area of what looked like built in seating along one side that seemed behind a rope but I presume was for all. I don't know who or what usually plays here but I feel like this is a space you could and should travel to for shows to say you "saw them before". I drove A LOT of hours on a weeknight for this and would do it again in a minute. Oh and the hotel is within feet of the back door of the concert hall so just plan to stay over!

Rude staff, they overcharged the amount we asked for on arcade tickets but figured we would use…read morethem so it wasn't a big deal. Only 40% of the arcade games didn't work. The bumper car area is to small for the 6 cars they have in there. One of the games included in the 2 hour pass was shut down the entire time we were there so we didn't even try it (hologate). The kids and I were ready to leave after less than an hour and a half. It really wasn't worth the $150 for 2 hours we spent. I wouldn't recommend this establishment to others.

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Fort Frenzy
Fort Frenzy
Fort Frenzy

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Webster County Freedom Rock - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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