Le Mars, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Le Mars is a city in and the county seat
of Plymouth County
, Iowa
, United States
. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. Le Mars is the home of Wells' Dairy, the world's largest producer of ice cream
novelties in one location and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Wells is most well known for its Blue Bunny products. Le Mars, located on the Floyd River
, is northeast of Sioux City
. Le Mars is the former home of Westmar University
, which closed in 1997.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), of which, 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²) of it is land and 0.15% is water.
In 1913, Fred H. Wells opened a milk route in Le Mars. By 1925, his sons and he opened an ice cream manufacturing plant in Le Mars. It (and the Wells name) was purchased by Fairmount Ice Cream in 1928. In 1935, Fred and his sons wanted to begin selling ice cream again, but could not use their name. They sponsored a “Name That Ice Cream” contest in the Sioux City
Journal. The winner of the $25 prize suggested Blue Bunny because his son had enjoyed seeing blue bunnies in department store windows at Easter
.
The Wells were eventually to get back their name after Blue Bunny became popular. However, it remained largely a regional ice cream until 1992, when it began an aggressive program to expand nationally.
The centerpiece of the expansion is a 900000 square feet (83,612.7 m²) plant with a 12-story tall refrigeration plant called the "South Ice Cream Plant" because it is on the south side of town (on 1 Blue Bunny Drive). The plant employs 1,000 and produces 75 million gallons of frozen treats, with the milk coming mainly coming from three large dairy farms in Iowa.
The plant has led to the claims the company is the world's largest family-owned and managed dairy processor and the world's largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location, and with Le Mars claiming to be the "Ice Cream Capital of the World".
Wells also produces ice brands marketed by Häagen-Dazs
, Baskin-Robbins
, General Mills
and General Foods
in Le Mars. Wells Dairy was to throw Häagen-Daz into a crisis in 1999, when the South Plant, which was the primary producer for Häagen-Dazs, had an explosion at the beginning of the summer ice cream season. Häagen-Dazs has subsequently added other dairies as its producers.
of 2000, there were 9,237 people, 3,640 households, and 2,453 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,356.9 people per square mile (523.7/km²). There were 3,818 housing units at an average density of 560.9 per square mile (216.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.24% White, 0.45% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races
, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.44% of the population.
There were 3,640 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,892, and the median income for a family was $47,409. Males had a median income of $35,936 versus $21,757 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,598. About 4.5% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
is owned by the city of Le Mars and located two nautical miles (3.7 km) southwest of its central business district
.
came to Le Mars on November 3, 2006 to campaign for Jim Nussle
for Iowa Governor. He spoke at Le Mars Community High School to a crowd of a couple thousand.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Plymouth County
Plymouth County, Iowa
Plymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 24,986 in the 2010 census, an increase from 24,849 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Le Mars...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. Le Mars is the home of Wells' Dairy, the world's largest producer of ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
novelties in one location and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Wells is most well known for its Blue Bunny products. Le Mars, located on the Floyd River
Floyd River
The Floyd River is a tributary of the Missouri River, long, in northwestern Iowa in the United States. It enters the Missouri at Sioux City, and is named for Charles Floyd, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.-Course:...
, is northeast of Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
. Le Mars is the former home of Westmar University
Westmar University
Westmar University was a private four-year liberal arts college in Le Mars, Iowa, U.S. It permanently closed on November 21, 1997.Westmar University was founded in 1887 as the Northwestern Normal School and Business College by Jacob Wernli, the Plymouth County Superintendent of Schools...
, which closed in 1997.
Geography
Le Mars is located at 42°47′20"N 96°9′57"W (42.788799, -96.165944).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), of which, 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²) of it is land and 0.15% is water.
History
Le Mars was platted in 1869, but no lots were sold until the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company arrived in 1879. According to town legend, CNW investor John I. Blair and a group of women arrived at the town which was then referred to as St. Paul Junction. The women were asked to name the town and they submitted their own first name initials for Lucy Underhill, Elizabeth Parson, Mary Weare, Anna Blair, Rebecca Smith and Sarah Reynolds.In 1913, Fred H. Wells opened a milk route in Le Mars. By 1925, his sons and he opened an ice cream manufacturing plant in Le Mars. It (and the Wells name) was purchased by Fairmount Ice Cream in 1928. In 1935, Fred and his sons wanted to begin selling ice cream again, but could not use their name. They sponsored a “Name That Ice Cream” contest in the Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
Journal. The winner of the $25 prize suggested Blue Bunny because his son had enjoyed seeing blue bunnies in department store windows at Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
.
The Wells were eventually to get back their name after Blue Bunny became popular. However, it remained largely a regional ice cream until 1992, when it began an aggressive program to expand nationally.
The centerpiece of the expansion is a 900000 square feet (83,612.7 m²) plant with a 12-story tall refrigeration plant called the "South Ice Cream Plant" because it is on the south side of town (on 1 Blue Bunny Drive). The plant employs 1,000 and produces 75 million gallons of frozen treats, with the milk coming mainly coming from three large dairy farms in Iowa.
The plant has led to the claims the company is the world's largest family-owned and managed dairy processor and the world's largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location, and with Le Mars claiming to be the "Ice Cream Capital of the World".
Wells also produces ice brands marketed by Häagen-Dazs
Häagen-Dazs
Häagen-Dazs is a brand of ice cream, established by Jewish-Polish immigrants Reuben and Rose Mattus in the Bronx, New York, in 1961. Starting with only three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and coffee, the company opened its first retail store in Brooklyn, New York, on November 15, 1976...
, Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins is a global chain of ice cream parlors founded by Burt Baskin and Irvine Robbins in 1953, from the merging of their respective ice cream parlors, in Glendale, California. It claims to be the world's largest ice cream franchise, with more than 5,800 locations, 2,800 of which are...
, General Mills
General Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
and General Foods
General Foods
General Foods Corporation was a company whose direct predecessor was established in the USA by Charles William Post as the Postum Cereal Company in 1895. The name General Foods was adopted in 1929, after several corporate acquisitions...
in Le Mars. Wells Dairy was to throw Häagen-Daz into a crisis in 1999, when the South Plant, which was the primary producer for Häagen-Dazs, had an explosion at the beginning of the summer ice cream season. Häagen-Dazs has subsequently added other dairies as its producers.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,237 people, 3,640 households, and 2,453 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,356.9 people per square mile (523.7/km²). There were 3,818 housing units at an average density of 560.9 per square mile (216.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.24% White, 0.45% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.44% of the population.
There were 3,640 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,892, and the median income for a family was $47,409. Males had a median income of $35,936 versus $21,757 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,598. About 4.5% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Le Mars Municipal AirportLe Mars Municipal Airport
Le Mars Municipal Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Le Mars, a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States.- Facilities and aircraft :...
is owned by the city of Le Mars and located two nautical miles (3.7 km) southwest of its central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
.
Notable people
- Clarence E. CoeClarence E. CoeClarence Elliot Coe , known as Clarence E. Coe, was one of the first settlers and farmers in Palms, California, and a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission from 1929 to 1931 and of the Los Angeles City Council from 1931 to 1933....
, pioneer of Palms, California and member of the Los Angeles, California, City Council, born in Le Mars - Keith KnudsenKeith KnudsenKeith Knudsen was an American rock drummer, vocalist and songwriter.-Career:Knudsen was born in Le Mars, Iowa. He began drumming while attending Princeton High School in Princeton, Illinois, where he graduated from in 1966...
, drummer for the Doobie Brothers - Paul RustPaul RustPaul Robert Rust is an American actor, comedian and writer.-Life and career:Rust was born in Le Mars, Iowa to Jeanne and Bob Rust...
, star of I Love You Beth CooperI Love You Beth CooperI Love You, Beth Cooper is a 2009 comedy film directed by Chris Columbus. It is based on the novel of the same name, written by Larry Doyle, a former writer of The Simpsons. The film stars Hayden Panettiere and Paul Rust with Jack T... - John Spenkelink, first person executed in Florida after the re-introduction of the death penalty in the United States
- Thomas StarzlThomas StarzlThomas E. Starzl is an American physician, researcher, and is an expert on organ transplants. He performed the first human liver transplants, and has often been referred to as "the father of modern transplantation."-Life:...
, innovator in organ transplantOrgan transplantOrgan transplantation is the moving of an organ from one body to another or from a donor site on the patient's own body, for the purpose of replacing the recipient's damaged or absent organ. The emerging field of regenerative medicine is allowing scientists and engineers to create organs to be...
surgery - Isaac S. StrubleIsaac S. StrubleIsaac S. Struble was a four-term Republican Representative of Iowa's 11th congressional district. Serving from 1883 to 1891, the Plymouth County resident was a noted congressional opponent of plural marriage in Utah.The member of a politically-active family, Isaac's six brothers included John T....
, congressman and namesake of Struble, IowaStruble, IowaStruble is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States, along the West Branch of the Floyd River. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Struble is located in Elgin Township, some seven miles north of LeMars, at .... - Bruce DreckmanBruce DreckmanBruce Michael Dreckman is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He wears number 1.Dreckman began his career in as a National League umpire, but has umpired in both Major Leagues since . Prior to reaching the MLB, Dreckman umpired in the Appalachian League, Midwest League, Carolina League, Southern...
, umpire in Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Notable events
President George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
came to Le Mars on November 3, 2006 to campaign for Jim Nussle
Jim Nussle
James Allen "Jim" Nussle is an American politician and was the director of the Office of Management and Budget. Nussle was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2007...
for Iowa Governor. He spoke at Le Mars Community High School to a crowd of a couple thousand.
See also
- Plymouth County CourthousePlymouth County Courthouse (Iowa)The Plymouth County Courthouse located in Le Mars, Iowa was built in 1891. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource...
- St. George's Episcopal ChurchSt. George's Episcopal Church (Le Mars, Iowa)St. George Episcopal Church is a parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. The church is located in Le Mars, Iowa, United States, at 400 1st Avenue, SE. The parish was established in 1881, and the church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-External links:*...
- Tonsfeldt Round BarnTonsfeldt Round BarnThe Tonsfeldt Round Barn is located on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in LeMars, Iowa. It was built in 1918 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986. The building is a true round barn that measures 82x68 feet . The barn features white horizontal siding, an...
, listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation... - Westmar UniversityWestmar UniversityWestmar University was a private four-year liberal arts college in Le Mars, Iowa, U.S. It permanently closed on November 21, 1997.Westmar University was founded in 1887 as the Northwestern Normal School and Business College by Jacob Wernli, the Plymouth County Superintendent of Schools...
A private four-year liberal arts collegeLiberal arts collegeA liberal arts college is one with a primary emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences.Students in the liberal arts generally major in a particular discipline while receiving exposure to a wide range of academic subjects, including sciences as well as the traditional...
that permanently closed on November 21, 1997.
External links
- Official Le Mars City Website
- Blue Bunny Official Site
- Wells Dairy Official Site
- City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Le Mars