OSCEOLA COUNTY — A former gray-and-white silo at Hawkeye Point now rises from the horizon as Iowa’s tallest ear of corn, a new roadside landmark organizers dedicated this weekend to a crowd of more than 150 people.
From student idea to painted landmark
The transformation grew from local conversations about how to add character to the park at the state’s highest elevation. Hawkeye Point opened in 2008 after local FFA students persuaded the Osceola County Board of Supervisors to purchase the property and convert it into a public park. Since then the site has gradually added a mix of nostalgic and playful displays.
When attention turned to the old silo, volunteers and organizers decided to convert it into a giant ear of corn. The painting was completed last fall, and Saturday’s dedication included a pancake breakfast, live music and a formal ceremony marking the unveiling.
"At that time, I was the ag instructor and I asked the students, 'Well, why don't you buy the whole site and we'll turn it into an Iowa park?' "One of them [board members] said, 'if the kids want it, why don't we buy it?'"
The project is an extension of the grassroots effort that saved Hawkeye Point in the first place. Mike Earll, chairman of the Hawkeye Point Foundation, recalled the students’ role in persuading county leaders to protect the site.
Adding to an existing mix of attractions
Visitors will find the painted silo alongside several existing displays that have made Hawkeye Point a stopping point for travelers and locals:
- Historic farming equipment
- A collection of license plates from all 50 states
- A giant chair for photos
One local resident said the new eye-catching silo will likely bring more passersby off Highway 60 and into the park.
"I can't even imagine how many times I've driven by. I can't put a number on it, but probably thousands of times... It's a nice little draw to bring us to this point,"
Tim Osterman, a longtime area driver, spoke for many who already knew where Hawkeye Point sits but expect the painted silo to make the site more visible to travelers who previously drove past.
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Painted silo | Now stylized as Iowa’s tallest ear of corn |
| Opening history | Park established in 2008 after county purchase |
| Regular attractions | Farm equipment, 50-state license plates, giant chair |
Hawkeye Point’s steady growth reflects a trend across rural Iowa where local groups are leveraging history, agriculture and quirky roadside art to boost tourism and preserve community places. The painted silo continues that pattern, converting a familiar farm structure into a landmark designed to draw eyes — and feet — off the interstate.
Officials and volunteers hope the new visual will increase visits to the park and highlight the community effort that created and sustains it. The dedication event combined celebration with the kind of local hands-on involvement that has characterized Hawkeye Point since the FFA students first proposed rescuing the site.
Those planning a visit can find Hawkeye Point along Highway 60 in Osceola County; the site remains a small, community-managed park centered on Iowa history and rural heritage.
