Murals and more in Mound View / College District / Irish District

It wouldn’t be Cedar Rapids if we didn’t have three names for the same neighborhood, so I’m here to introduce you to the Mound View / College District / Irish District. To begin, Mound View is the historic name of this working-class neighborhood on Cedar Rapids’ northeast side. It’s also where Grant Wood, of American Gothic fame, grew up. Next, the College District comes from the presence of two small private colleges in the neighborhood, Coe College and Mount Mercy University. Finally, the Irish District pays homage to one of the city’s largest historical immigrant populations; Cedar Rapids is consistently ranked one of the top places in the nation to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which includes our Bar2Bar 5K through this district.

This is the second neighborhood in my Cedar Rapids “murals and more” series, and don’t worry, I included locations in case you want to check out these sights for yourself (#doitforthegram).

300 Coe Rd NE to 335 Coe Rd NE in Cedar Rapids.

This mural borders the Coe College campus and was spearheaded by former Art Professor Andrea Kann.

A sculpture on Coe College’s campus (1220 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402).

There are a number of sculptures on Coe’s campus. Stewart Memorial Library is open to the public and houses an impressive art gallery that includes multiple Grant Wood originals.

901 17th St NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 — Janda Electric building

901 17th St NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 — Janda Electric building

This is a gorgeous viney wall in the Mound View neighborhood that deserves to be the background for all of your senior pictures, wedding pictures, and just for the gram.

916 16th St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 (random white building)

I’m not sure if this building is used or abandoned, but it’s pretty.

Maresh Sheet Metal Works building (907 17th St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402)

The Maresh Sheet Metal Works building is a ray of sunshine in the Mound View neighborhood. While it’s no longer used to produce sheet metal, owners Tom Podzimek and Connie Lehman have turned it into a community and event space.

Building next to Maresh Sheet Metal Works building (907 17th St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402).

I’m not sure who the artist is nor their inspiration, but it’s another mural tucked into the Mound View neighborhood.

Tic Toc — CLOSED (600 17th St NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402).

Tic Toc is a now-closed bar in the Mound View district.

Our Mother (Lady) of Sorrows Grotto at Mount Mercy University (1330 Elmhurst Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402).

Our Mother (Lady) of Sorrows Grotto at Mount Mercy University was designed and constructed by William Lightner between 1929–1941. Professor Jane Gilmor began preservation and restoration efforts in the mid-1970s, and the grotto was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.