Forest City is rooted in recreation and manufacturing
Forest City packs outdoor recreation and job opportunities into a small northern Iowa community of about 4,200 along the Winnebago River. Once part of a forest, pieces of the natural landscape remain preserved through several parks, some of them by the river. Winnebago Industries gives the area a significant manufacturing presence, producing its signature RVs. Forest City’s homes vary quite a bit in age and style, but remain relatively affordable. “There’s a vast variety in all of these little towns around here. They do vary in terms of some being original, some being more updated,” says Jordan Rose, a local Realtor with Realty One Group Welcome Home-Mason City, who has almost five years of industry experience. “But the majority of the build dates are going to be older in the area. I think that helps keep some of the prices a little down compared to other areas of the county.”
Established houses create an eclectic inventory
The dense foliage may be long gone, but Forest City still lives up to its name in some ways with the mature trees towering over many of its neighborhood blocks. The houses were built from the early 1900s to the 1990s. Options include a mix of bungalows, colonials, gable-front and ranch-style homes. These properties come with about one-tenth to one-fifth of an acre. Sale prices fall between $70,000 and $460,000, depending on condition and square footage.
Area schools have high activity participation
The Forest City Community School District maintains a B-plus grade from Niche. Forest City Elementary gets a B rating and emphasizes STEM-based instruction. Over 90% of students at the A-minus-rated Forest City Middle participate in extracurricular activities, with options like an esports club and a newspaper staff. Forest City High also has an A-minus grade and has an over 80% activity participation rate, including sports teams from bowling to swimming. Waldorf University is a higher education option in the community, a private, faith-based school known in part for its fine arts.
Varied landscapes are available close by
Green spaces like Pammel Park border the portion of the Winnebago River that snakes through Forest City. Stretching 35 acres, Pammel is Forest City’s largest park, and it’s filled with trails, a playground, a disc golf course and campsites. It also provides direct water access. Clarks Woods Park, across the water, is more heavily wooded and has picnic tables and a play area. Thomas Bearse Park features a dog park just north of Clark Woods. Inland options include Boman Park, with basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts.
Local restaurants cover a range of cuisines
Forest City’s downtown is lined with businesses along Clark Street, like Ay Jalisco, a restaurant with popular margaritas. Down the street, Sally's is a diner known for its homemade pies. The Quilted Forest offers a kaleidoscope of quilting fabrics, and Nu2u Consignments is a thrift store on the stretch with all sorts of clothing and home goods. U.S. Route 69 is another prominent thoroughfare in Forest City, home to a Hy-Vee grocery store and a location of the regional chain Cabin Coffee Co., which Rogers says is really popular. Locals head to places like Mason City for more amenities — that area has big-box stores, including Walmart and Target.
Rustic roads connect people to the rest of the region
Scenic one-lane roads like 330th, 310th and 300th streets link Forest City to Mason City, located roughly 30 miles east. Mason City’s MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center has 346 beds. Minnesota’s Rochester International Airport, about 100 miles away, is the closest place to catch a commercial flight.
Forest City fosters multiple opportunities to come together
Forest City hosts various community events throughout the year, from the summertime Puckerbrush Days to Christmas on Clark Street in December. Puckerbrush is a callback to Forest City’s original name. The annual festival, which takes place over two days in July, features live music, a car show, a pet parade and an ice cream eating contest. Christmas on Clark Street offers free holiday movie screenings, horse-drawn wagon rides and picture opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
