Guttenberg - Iowa Heritage Society

Guttenberg - Iowa Heritage Society Lockmaster's House Heritage Museum operating by the Guttenberg Heritage Society. Army Corps of Engineers’ lock and dam system were previously required to live.

Displaying the history of the building of Lock and Dam #10 and history of Guttenberg. HISTORY OF THE LOCKMASTER’S HOUSE HERITAGE MUSEUM

The history of Guttenberg, Iowa and the lock and dam system are preserved at the Lockmaster’s House Heritage Museum in Guttenberg. The museum is located in the former lockmaster’s house, where the lockmaster and assistant lockmasters of the U.S. The house is the

last remaining lockmaster house on the Upper Mississippi River. It is on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the lock and dam system. Lock and Dam #10 in Guttenberg was completed in 1935. There were two lockmasters’ houses built at the site in 1938 - one each for the lockmaster and assistant lockmaster. The Corps lifted the occupancy requirement in 1972 so lockmasters were allowed to live in their own homes. One of the houses at Lock 10 was purchased in the mid-1970s and moved to a site just north of Guttenberg. The remaining lockmaster’s house sat empty after the lockmaster moved out. The Corps of Engineers, realizing the historic value of the structure, did not want to tear the house down. The Corps approached local citizens about the house, and as a result, in 1991 a group was formed – the Guttenberg Heritage Society – to operate the house as a museum. The museum contains many framed photos of early Guttenberg history. In the basement of the house is a photo display of the building of the lock and dam and the lockmaster’s house. In 1993, members of the Heritage Society began collecting articles to furnish the house as it looked when it was first constructed in 1938. It is now filled with vintage furniture, appliances, dishes, and textiles.

Meyer's Band (date unknown) from a 1951 edition of the Guttenberg Press
05/26/2026

Meyer's Band (date unknown) from a 1951 edition of the Guttenberg Press

Today we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice preserved the free...
05/25/2026

Today we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice preserved the freedoms we enjoy and shaped the history of communities like Guttenberg and towns across America.

As we remember those who never returned home, may we preserve their stories and legacy for future generations.

“Lest We Forget”

Guttenberg Historical Society
Preserving Local History Along the Mississippi

Going to town on Miners Creek in a horse and buggy in 1951
05/25/2026

Going to town on Miners Creek in a horse and buggy in 1951

1951 Guttenberg High School singers
05/24/2026

1951 Guttenberg High School singers

1951 Guttenberg Giants Baseball Team.
05/23/2026

1951 Guttenberg Giants Baseball Team.

The huge “Lakeside” letters painted on the roof of the historic Lakeside Ballroom were primarily there to help airplane ...
05/22/2026

The huge “Lakeside” letters painted on the roof of the historic Lakeside Ballroom were primarily there to help airplane pilots navigate in the early aviation era.

In the 1920s and 1930s, pilots often relied on “dead reckoning” navigation — following rivers, railroads, towns, and large painted landmarks instead of modern radio navigation or GPS. The white “Lakeside” lettering on the roof was large enough to be seen from the air and became a recognizable checkpoint for pilots traveling between cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis.

The ballroom even had a grassy landing strip northwest of the building. According to local history connected to the Kann family, small planes sometimes landed there during the Prohibition era. One story says Edmund “Sonny” Kann flew in loads of moonshine from Chicago for the ballroom clientele.

The roof lettering also served a second purpose locally: it was visible from the bluff road north of Guttenberg where U.S. Highway 52 climbs the hill out of town. National Register documentation notes the name was painted on both sides of the roof so travelers could easily identify the ballroom.

So the giant roof letters were both:

* an aviation navigation marker for early pilots, and
* a highly visible advertisement for one of eastern Iowa’s best-known dance halls.

Carol Backes Tomkins was a candidate for Melody Queen held in Waterloo (photo from 1951 Guttenberg Press)
05/21/2026

Carol Backes Tomkins was a candidate for Melody Queen held in Waterloo (photo from 1951 Guttenberg Press)

Stop by in the month of June and get your passport stamp!
05/21/2026

Stop by in the month of June and get your passport stamp!

Noon tomorrow we open for the season! Come visit us!
05/21/2026

Noon tomorrow we open for the season! Come visit us!

Have you been enjoying the historic photos and stories we’ve been sharing about Guttenberg and the surrounding area? The...
05/20/2026

Have you been enjoying the historic photos and stories we’ve been sharing about Guttenberg and the surrounding area? There’s so much history here—and we love bringing it to life for you.

Today we’re asking for your support to help preserve one of our community’s most treasured landmarks: the Lockmaster House Museum.

While we’re proud to share the past, there are real, ongoing expenses behind the scenes—maintenance, utilities, preservation, and keeping the doors open for visitors and future generations.

If these posts have sparked a memory, taught you something new, or simply made you smile, please consider making a donation today.

You can donate directly through our page—it’s quick, easy, and makes an immediate impact.

Every dollar helps us continue this work and protect Guttenberg’s story.

Thank you for being part of our community and for caring about our history ❤️

Address

12 Lock And Dam Lane
Guttenberg, IA
52052

Opening Hours

Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15632522323

Website

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