Each year, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) celebrates the best in heritage development by presenting the “People’s Choice Site of the Year”. Voted on by the public, this special honor is presented to only one deserving SSNHA Partner Site.
Voting for the 2024 Site of the Year will be open to the public at www.silosandsmokestacks.org from Oct. 28-Nov. 1. The top three finalists as of Nov. 1 will be invited as our guests to the Heritage Site Annual Training on Nov. 14, where the winner will be announced and receive the traveling award for People’s Choice “Site of the Year.”
Check back for 2024 Nominees.
congratulations 2024 Site of the Year Nominees
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“All Aboard!” That was the conductor’s cry a dozen times a day in 1900 as passengers boarded or stepped off trains at the Vinton Railroad Depot. Replacing a smaller two story wooden structure (with office, waiting and baggage rooms downstairs and agent’s family living space upstairs), Vinton’s fine brick and stone replacement depot befitted the city’s status as Benton County seat and important railroad junction. Dozens of passenger and freight trains daily linked Vinton with Chicago, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, the Twin Cities, St Louis, Iowa Falls, Sioux Falls and, through America’s rail network, the world. Improved roads and highways, cars and trucks gradually diminished Vinton’s once heavy reliance on rail service. The last passenger train made its farewell run in 1967, after which the depot, deemed surplus, became an upstart local farm equipment manufacturer sales office. Freight service continued until Rock Island Railroad’s forced bankruptcy in 1980. About the same time, the depot’s agricultural equipment new owner moved operations out of state. The Benton County Historical Society was then gifted and restored the architectural gem, its doors open for educational tours and a variety of community special events and programs. Placed on the national Register of Historic Places in 1990, to date the Vinton station stands alone as the Hawkeye State’s only rail depot designated as a Silos & Smokestacks Heritage Area Site. |
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The Scenic City Empress Boat Club is a valuable part of the Iowa Falls community. While the facility is enjoyed by community members, the Scenic City Empress Boat Club has grown to be a destination for visitors from throughout Iowa and the Midwest. The summer highlight of the Boat Club is the Empress, a 50-passenger double-decker pontoon.
Empress cruise riders experience the Iowa River and the scenic views while learning the history of the river. During the 2024 cruising season there were 93 cruises hosting 2,786 guests on the Empress. These visitors have a direct economic impact on our community as they patronize our local stores, restaurants and gas stations. The Scenic City Empress Boat Club hosts events throughout the year that appeal to children and adults alike. During the winter months when the river is frozen, the Boat Club is host to ice skating, with ice skates and skating lessons offered at no cost. The Scenic City Empress Boat Club also strives to provide an educational component with local and area students while hosting many “Classroom on the River” groups each season. The lower level of the Boat Club has been renovated to include an Iowa River Museum with many interesting artifacts and historic pictures. |
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The History Center plays a pivotal role in preserving, promoting, and interpreting the rich history of Linn County. As the county’s leading historical institution, it provides invaluable resources and programs that engage the public with the region’s agricultural, industrial, and cultural history. Its work aligns closely with the mission of Silos & Smokestacks, which focuses on telling the story of America’s agricultural and industrial heritage.
Linn County’s economy has been historically rooted in agriculture and industry, sectors that Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area celebrates. The History Center actively preserves and showcases artifacts, stories, and historical narratives tied to these industries, helping to paint a broader picture of how these sectors shaped the local and national landscape. Exhibits focusing on the development of farming communities, the rise of industrial powerhouses like Quaker Oats and Rockwell Collins, and their impact on Cedar Rapids resonate deeply with both local and visiting audiences. The History Center offers a variety of dynamic exhibits that invite visitors to interact with the past in meaningful ways. Its use of modern technology, hands-on displays, and in-depth storytelling helps make history come alive for visitors. Whether through temporary exhibits or permanent collections, it continuously innovates to keep the public engaged, making it a popular destination within the heritage tourism network. |
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Iowa’s Dairy Center in Calmar is a partnership between Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation and Northeast Iowa Community College. The Center’s mission is agriculture education. The educational efforts are focus on five different audiences; college students, consumers, youth, farmers and industry. The Dairy Center’s unofficial motto is “Cows, Corn and Conservation, perfect for Iowa. The Center features a museum highlighted by a tribute to Iowa Dairy Pioneers. The Center also has classroom murals that promote conservation and the nutritional value of both dairy and beef products. Within minutes of leaving the museum visitors are treated with viewing 200 Holstein cows in a sand bedded free stall. These cows are milked by three Lely robots showcasing the technology used to produce food for the American consumer. One hundred percent of our milk is processed into cheese. Visitors observe clean, healthy, comfortable and friendly bovines during the tour of the Center. Iowa’s Dairy story is a program for third and fourth graders in the area to spend a day at the Dairy Center, where do everything from learning about rumen function, petting calves to making ice cream. The impact of this program is clear as I ask sophomores when they are on campus for a recruiting visit, do you remember coming to the Dairy Center when you were little, they all do. The Center has impacted their view of Agriculture.
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The African American Museum of Iowa is the only institution in the state dedicated exclusively to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American heritage. Through exhibits, programs, and community partnerships, the AAMI provides the community with access to resources that improve cultural connections, increase awareness, and promote diversity. Among the many stories the Museum tells is the connection between Black Iowans and agriculture. While celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, the AAMI simultaneously underwent a major renovation that transformed its exterior and interior. Despite an 18-month closure, the Museum reached thousands of Iowans through off-site exhibits and programs. Since reopening in May 2024, thousands of people have visited the newly renovated Museum, demonstrating the importance of the institution and the vital history it teaches. By preserving Iowa’s Black history, the Museum fosters a sense of identity and continuity for current and future generations. Every exhibit, program, and event creates a platform for community engagement. |
