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Ida Grove, Iowa: Castles of Ida Grove

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
Hwy 175, Ida Grove, IA
Directions:
Along Hwy 175, from the town center east to US Hwy 59. Castles visible from the road.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
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Castles of Ida Grove

Castles of Ida Grove

Byron LeRoy Godbersen, the most powerful man in Ida Grove, built castles all over town -- and had his employees build a half-scale replica of the H.M.S. Bounty as well.

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Visitor Tips and News About Castles of Ida Grove

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Castles of Ida Grove

Mr. Godbertson was a larger-than-life figure around here. And deservedly so, it seems. Castles in a cornfield! Why, it's our very own Field of Dreams! (Sorry, no Kevin Costner though)

[Valleygirl, 10/22/2018]
Castles of Ida Grove

This was a complete waste of time. The pictures on the website are very misleading. The "castles" are storefronts that are run down and a lot smaller than they appear online. The best buildings are on a private golf course that you cannot get to.

[Trish, 07/26/2016]

Byron Godbersen, the wealthy castle-builder of Ida Grove, died in 2003. His taste in expensive medieval architecture has not been sustained by the rest of the town. Maybe they view it as a renaissance.

Ida Grove Castle style building.

Castles, Pizza Hut Island, Replica HMS Bounty

Pizza Hut is still there, and the castle buildings are something to see. There's a private property with a lake on the east end of town, which contains a replica of the HMS Bounty. Main street businesses closed on Sundays.

[Kristen Nash, 11/04/2007]

Castle style building.

Castle-themed Town

Another castle building.

[Sparx, 12/19/2001]

More of the feudal style of castle-crazed Ida Grove.


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