Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

"The Music Man"

Meredith Willson

— May 18, 1902 - June 15, 1984 —

"The Music Man" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

1. "The Music Man" Marker

Inscription. The musical score resounds the spirit of “River City,”
a tribute to the community of Mason City from the creator-composer.

Meredith Willson
May 18, 1902 – June 15, 1984
”May the good Lord bless and keep you.”
A generous heart is his legacy. He made music and grew to manhood on this very ground, then ventured from his small town home for the big city, achieving fame and fortune, but never forgetting his roots and friends. As he shared with the world his deep love and talent for music, he invited all into his friendship through his masterpiece. He gave us “The Music Man.”

For many years, the famed Iowa sculptor, Cliff Carlson, dreamed of this tribute
to Meredith Willson for Mason City. The dream is now fulfilled through his
friend and fellow sculptor, Paul Rieffer.
A gift from Tiena J. Zbornik

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Grammy Award Winners series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1902.

Location. 43° 8.95′ N, 93° 11.898′ W. Marker is in Mason City, Iowa, in Cerro Gordo County. It can be reached from South Pennsylvania Avenue south

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of 2nd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Music Man Square, on the north side of the Meredith Willson boyhood home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City IA 50401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mason City Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); G. Curtis Yelland House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Historic Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Joshua G. Melson House (approx. ¼ mile away); Cronin-Dexter Camp No. 28 United Spanish War Veterans (approx. 0.3 miles away); James Blythe House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mason City.

Also see . . . Meredith Willson (Wikipedia). Robert Reiniger Meredith Willson was an American flutist, composer, conductor, musical arranger, bandleader, playwright, and author. He is best known for writing the book, music, and lyrics for the 1957 hit Broadway musical The Music Man. He wrote two other Broadway musicals and composed symphonies and popular songs. He was twice nominated for Academy Awards for film scores. (Submitted on December 11, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Meredith Wilson image. Click for more information.

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. Meredith Wilson

IMDb website entry
Click for more information.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

3. "The Music Man" Marker

(Meredith Willson boyhood home on left)

Meredith Willson sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

4. Meredith Willson sculpture

(located near marker)

Meredith Willson Boyhood Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

5. Meredith Willson Boyhood Home

Music Man Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

6. Music Man Square

(Meredith Willson sculpture and museum in background)

"The Music Man" Footbridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

7. "The Music Man" Footbridge

(4 blocks northeast of Music Man Square, over Willow Creek)
Meredith Willson
”The Music Man”
Footbridge

"The Music Man" Footbridge - across Willow Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

8. "The Music Man" Footbridge - across Willow Creek

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 11, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on June 21, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 11, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.