The “Belle of the Plaine” to Celebrate 150 Years

BELLE PLAINE - First there was the railroad (1862), then it was the Jumbo Well (1886) and later the Lincoln Highway (1920s).

Always, it seems, in its 150-year history, Belle Plaine has been on the map. And the four-day celebration that begins Sunday and concludes with the Independence Day fireworks Wednesday night promises to keep it there.

From softball games to a wine tasting to tours along "Main" Street (actually 12th Street) to see its new $4.4 million renovation, visitors will not want for activities. (See www.belleplaineiowa.us/2012/06/21/150th-sesquicentennial-events for more information.)

Ask any local, "What's so great about Belle Plaine?" and you're likely to get an answer similar to that given by Sue Riherd, chair of the sesquicentennial committee.

"I think everything now," says Sue, 64, wearing a blouse that expounds the value of a strong Main Street.

"We've done our streetscape," she says. "The facades of the buildings are done. We're having our ribbon cutting (4 p.m.) July 2 with the governor. Because of all this, I think it's spurred people to think about their businesses, that they need to look at things differently."

Sue and her husband, David, bought the Coast-to-Coast store in 1968 and moved to Belle Plaine. (They sold the store, now a TrueValue, four years ago but David still works there a couple days a week.) It has seemed like home ever since.

"It still holds a special place in people's hearts," says Sue, who adds that former residents have commented on Facebook (Belle Plaine Iowa Sesquicentennial) indicating how they're looking forward to returning for the celebration.

"We've had a lot of people come back after college and parts of their careers," Sue says.

One of them is Sheila Hlas, 38, who came to town as a toddler, graduated from high school and worked with Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and Belle Plaine. She's executive director of Belle Plaine Community Development and began planning for the sesquicentennial in May, 2011.

"We wanted to stay here," she says about her husband, her junior high sweetheart. "Our parents are here. We wanted to raise our kids here."

While settlers had arrived in the area before 1862, the arrival of the railroad (The Chicago and Northwestern) prompted them to come together along the tracks. The story goes that, after much consternation, a man came up with the name "Belle Plaine" and women agreed it would be an ideal name for this beautiful place near the Iowa River that could become the belle of the prairie.

A great fire in 1894 that destroyed five blocks (about 80 businesses) devastated the community but also showed its resiliency. That story, and many others, were compiled in a centennial book in 1962 that has been republished (people love to read those old accounts) with the addition of 144 pages for the last 50 years. The books were to be delivered today, just in time.

While fun is the theme for the four-day celebration, it's also a time to remember. In a special tribute at the historic King Theater which has operated continuously since 1930, the names of more than 600 veterans and current service people will be read during a pictorial review at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday followed by the fireworks.

"I think it will be emotional for a lot of people," Sue says.

BELLE PLAINE SESQUICENTENNIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Sunday:

7:30 a.m., fly-in/walk-in pancake breakfast at the airport; 1 p.m., water barrel firefighting contests; 1-4 p.m., open houses (also on other days) at the Belle Plaine Historical Society Museum, public library, train depot and schools; 4 p.m., children's parade.

Monday:

9:30 a.m., guided tours of historic Belle Plaine homes (exteriors only); 4 p.m., downtown facade project ribbon cutting with Gov. Terry Branstad as honored guest followed by tour of downtown buildings.

Tuesday, July 3

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on "Main" street, car show, "Taste of Belle Plaine" wine and microbrewery tastings, food booths, art show and auction with music by "Chicken Wire"; 8 p.m., car cruise; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., street dance with "Dogs on Skis"; 10 p.m., laser light show.

Wednesday:

8 a.m., 5k run; 10 a.m., parade followed by traditional July 4 activities at Franklin Park; 6:30 p.m., salute to veterans and active duty personnel at King Theater; dusk, fireworks at Franklin Park.