Eldon Uptown/Downtown Courtyard
Donation protected
Eldon Uptown/Downtown, a nonprofit organization, was organized in October, 2015 with the purpose of restoring, revitalizing, and maintaining Eldon’s business district. We are pleased to announce our first project. We have purchased the property adjacent to the McHaffey Opera House which we plan to transform into an outdoor courtyard. The space will provide an attractive, welcoming, family-oriented gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
A healthy and vibrant business district is important to the economic viability of a small town. We have over 20,000 visitors coming to Eldon each year to the American Gothic House and Center as well as the Eldon Depot Museum, the McHaffey Opera House, Hollenbeck Hall, the Lockkeeper’s House and the Eldon Carnegie Library. Five of these landmarks are on the National Register of Historic Places. Many more come to American Gothic Days and the Wapello County Fair. It is vital that those visitors have a pleasant first impression driving into Eldon.
To assess Eldon's potential, the Iowa Economic Development Association conducted a tour of Eldon this past fall. The response was an abundance of positive feedback including this summary.
"In summary, the community has the potential to build on your strengths and complete projects large and small that will have a positive impact on Eldon. We’re very impressed with the dedicated group of citizens demonstrating their passion and desire to make Eldon a better place. We are confident you will have many future success stories in Eldon, Iowa."
We have raised funds and applied for grants but we can't complete this project without your help. The estimate to complete the courtyard is $50,000. We plan to save the façade which will require major tuck pointing. The floor of the courtyard will be an elevated deck. We plan to use composite materials which are very expensive but nearly maintenance free. Tables, chairs and planters also will be purchased.
Please consider a tax-deductible gift to start the first step in Eldon’s business district revitalization plan. Help us turn our business district into something we can all be proud of. We appreciate and thank you for your support!
A healthy and vibrant business district is important to the economic viability of a small town. We have over 20,000 visitors coming to Eldon each year to the American Gothic House and Center as well as the Eldon Depot Museum, the McHaffey Opera House, Hollenbeck Hall, the Lockkeeper’s House and the Eldon Carnegie Library. Five of these landmarks are on the National Register of Historic Places. Many more come to American Gothic Days and the Wapello County Fair. It is vital that those visitors have a pleasant first impression driving into Eldon.
To assess Eldon's potential, the Iowa Economic Development Association conducted a tour of Eldon this past fall. The response was an abundance of positive feedback including this summary.
"In summary, the community has the potential to build on your strengths and complete projects large and small that will have a positive impact on Eldon. We’re very impressed with the dedicated group of citizens demonstrating their passion and desire to make Eldon a better place. We are confident you will have many future success stories in Eldon, Iowa."
We have raised funds and applied for grants but we can't complete this project without your help. The estimate to complete the courtyard is $50,000. We plan to save the façade which will require major tuck pointing. The floor of the courtyard will be an elevated deck. We plan to use composite materials which are very expensive but nearly maintenance free. Tables, chairs and planters also will be purchased.
Please consider a tax-deductible gift to start the first step in Eldon’s business district revitalization plan. Help us turn our business district into something we can all be proud of. We appreciate and thank you for your support!
Organizer
Brian Keasling
Organizer
Eldon, IA