Nestled in the heart of Downtown Ames, Bandshell Park has been a cherished gathering spot and musical landmark for nearly a century. What started as a modest wooden bandstand has evolved into an enduring symbol of the city’s spirit and community pride.
The site first became public land when the Iowa Railroad Land Company gifted 2.6 acres to the city with the condition that it be used as a park. In 1909, the city constructed the first concrete bandstand, which served the community for more than two decades before Ames’ growing Municipal Band began to outgrow the space in the early 1930s.
In 1934, with strong community backing from local civic clubs to musicians themselves, the city approved plans for a new bandshell. Architect Grover Pratt of Iowa State designed the structure in a striking Art Deco style, and local contractor Fred Fischer oversaw construction, complete with a copper roof crafted by J. R. Jones. The project cost about $39,000, a significant sum during the Great Depression.
On June 13, 1935, the bandshell was officially dedicated with a grand celebration that featured Karl King’s Fort Dodge band and 13 local ensembles. Since then, the venue has hosted countless concerts, including regular summer performances by the Ames Municipal Band, drawing hundreds each week.
Architecturally, the shell is notable for its cast-in-place concrete, steel framing, and quarter-hemisphere design; ideal for acoustic richness. By the 1990s, however, age and weather had taken their toll, prompting a major restoration in 2005 led by The Ames Foundation.
Today, Bandshell Park remains more than just a beautiful venue. It’s a living piece of Ames’ cultural heritage; a place where history, community, and music come together under the open sky.