#48 Historic Park Inn Hotel in Iowa

Frank Lloyd Wright's Creation!

Now we can add to our list of unusual overnights, a stay in the only existing Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel in the world!

Mason City, Iowa!

One would think if you wanted to sleep in the only remaining hotel built by the famous architect of Prairie School Design, you'd have to go to a big city.  But, I guess it's fitting that this building style, inspired by the horizontal landscapes of midwest prairies, would be found in a modest town in north Iowa!

A Drizzly Stay

We arrived on a gray October afternoon. I so badly wanted to see the sunshine on the elaborate, yellow brick and terra-cotta facade.  Then again, the blah weather made it easier to imagine the years when this building wasn't the spotlight of Mason City.  By the 1970's,  the city hardly knew what to do with it. It was almost torn down.

Back to Life

In 2010, the hotel reopened after complete renovation. The Wright designed City National Bank which was attached to the hotel, became the hotel's ballroom. On the Thursday when we arrived, the ballroom space was being set up for 8th Annual Iowa Independent Film Festival.

Was Frank Short?

I'm just under 5"3', so I didn't even notice.  But after we checked in with Chaurice (who was the most delightful desk clerk we had during our 22-day road trip) Don just laughed at how claustrophobic he felt under the low ceiling.  I had to google F.LW.'s height and he was indeed on the short side. I think he actually liked annoying people who had to hunch a bit in some of his low spaces!

Skylight Room

This 2-story room behind the lobby made up for the cramped front desk area.  It had once been the hotel's dining room, but was now filled with reproduction Stickley Mission-style furniture as well as Arts & Crafts style lamps and artwork.  This lounging area was just plain inviting, especially compared to so many of the Victorian historic hotels we've tiptoed around!  Not only was this space comfy, but the skylight made it refreshing.  And the mezzanine above the lobby had a player piano tinkling away with some fitting tunes.

Art Glass

The 25 panels of skylight glass were all original.  That's pretty lucky, since so many details in the building had been removed or lost over the years.  Another window that looked out towards the park, showed hints of fall trees through the muted greens and yellows of the glass.  Pretty lovely.

Hall on 2nd Floor

I like to take hall photos and that's sort of silly.  But I loved our hall. The carpet and light fixtures were very Wright-esque in design and the dark wood doors and trim were original.  But the best part was the sloping, funhouse feel I got walking down to room 215.  I felt like I'd had a few martinis... or maybe I was on a ship out at sea.

Just Wright!

Our cozy room was perfect.  Yes, it was a bit narrow, but it was nearly twice the size of the original.  There are only 27 guest rooms now, but there were over 40 in 1910. No two guest rooms are alike in the hotel and this one was less than $100.  It amazes me that you can have this experience for that price.

H P I

We saw the Historic Park Inn logo (with great Craftsman font) all over the room.  That, and lots of geometric shapes.  As I explored and absorbed this wonderful place, I realized how little I know about FLW and his design!  But the little kid in me wanted to count squares!  Look at the squares on the rectangular pillow!

Cozy Room & Bath

We had 2 large square windows that looked over the hotel skylight.  They also looked right into the windows on the opposite side of the hotel, so we mostly kept our shades down.  I spotted more squares on the light fixtures and desk chair.  In the bathroom we had my favorite honeycomb tile as well as more logo... on the   shower curtains and super fluffy towels. Even the bath soap had a little FLW shape to it!

Fitting In

I fit right in with my book "Loving Frank" (Fictionalized Frank) as I sat in one of the many cozy areas.  Don's 6'2" frame did not fit as he walked into the mezzanine area, which looks down over the lobby.

Hanging with the Gentlemen 

In the basement we found Seth, in his vest and bow tie, tending bar at the 1910 Lounge.  This area was once the Gentlemen's Lounge and I seemed to be the only woman, but no one kicked me out.  We had a great time learning about area from Seth, who is a Mason City native.  

Film and Billiards

It was a chilly, wet evening so we decided to stay put.  In the lounge we chatted with Seth and Chef Kurt, who dashed in from the kitchen a few times to check on the football scores.  We also learned about the Film Festival from a local writer and festival worker, who stopped in to take a break from setting up in the ballroom.   Then, we chatted with another Seth, from Chicago, who had directed one of the films being shown at the festival.  We didn't squeeze in a game of "billiards" which I'm sure wouldn't have allowed ladies back in 1910.   

Up For Dinner

We headed upstairs to 1910 Grille for dinner.  We enjoyed some of Chef Kurt's Portabella Risotto and a tasty sampler of wines.  My photo is blurry because I rushed.  (The place was too classy for touristy I-phone snaps.)  The atmosphere was lovely and the food was excellent.  FLW would have approved!

Good Morning Ladies

We had our complimentary breakfast in the area that was once the Ladies Lounge.  The ladies had no billiards, but they had a balcony with a nice view of the grassy town square.  I let Don join me for coffee, since I enjoyed the Men's Lounge the night before!  I loved the square saucer and HPI napkin, but the breakfast was a bit skimpy.  I don't think FLW would have been impressed.  But then, maybe he wasn't a big breakfast eater.

Rain or Shine

The morning was as moist as the day before, but I'm so glad we didn't let the gloomy weather keep us from taking a walk.  Not only did we see The Stockman House, also designed by Wright, but we strolled through the Glen Park Neighborhood.  (Many architects who worked with Wright while building the hotel, were commissioned to build homes nearby.)  And then of course, we had to walk across the "Music Man Footbridge" in honor of Meredith Willson,  who was from Mason City.  This town inspired Willson's "River City" when he wrote "The Music Man".  Funny to picture Mr. W. being about 8 years old when FLW was overseeing the construction of our hotel!

What's Notable?
The obvious answer is that we stayed in a hotel built by the most famous American architect. But besides that, I will always remember this hotel as being out of place.

Not only did the hotel seem too special to be tucked into this small town in Iowa, but the people didn't fit the Iowa image either.  For that reason I was left feeling like I hadn't cracked the mystery. I have such a strong urge to go back and observe and learn more... especially on a sunny day!