Fitting that our last stop in Le Mars is more like a walk through town before we head back home. Being that Le mars is the “Ice Cream Capitol of the World”, the city has
Fitting that our last stop in Le Mars is more like a walk through town before we head back home. Being that Le mars is the “Ice Cream Capitol of the World”, the city has placed 56 cone sculptures all across town. Standing nearly six feet tall, each represents the rich history of this unique Iowa town, and some directly mirror the business they are mounted in front of.
For example, you’ll find a cone outside of Iowa State Bank and an Orthodontists office, in front of Shepherd’s Closet community thrift center, and Habitue Coffee. Various sponsors in and around Le Mars have leant their financial contributions to support this community project. Families and businesses, with the help of the city, find artists to render colorful and thoughtful miniature murals on these cone statues. Some have significant influence and meaning, and some are pure creative artistry.
My personal favorite is the Girl Scout cone outside Pizza Ranch on the corner of Center and Plymouth. I also like the cone outside Bob’s Drive Inn dedicated to our military and armed forces. However, I have not seen all 56, but I plan to print out the cone map and set out on an epic scavenger hunt. I’d imagine the residents and business owners have got to be used to sightseers like me stopping their car every 50 feet, getting out, snapping a picture, then continuing on their way.
I’ve included the PDF for the cone walk map on this blog post. In addition, be sure to visit Le Mars website (https://www.lemarsiowa.com/) for any upcoming cone additions to downtown and beyond. And remember, Le Mars is holding their Ice Cream Days in June! What better way to celebrate this refreshing dessert than participating in an epic foraging journey through town.
https://www.lemarsiowa.com/DocumentCenter/View/265/Cone-Map-PDF