MASON CITY — Firefighters were called Thursday afternoon to historic Mohawk Square, the long-vacant former Mason City High School and Mason City Junior College building that city officials are preparing to demolish after years of deterioration.
The Mason City Fire Department was dispatched at 2:22 p.m. July 16, 2026, after smoke was reported coming from the building at 22 North Georgia Avenue.
Fire crews located an electrical fire on the first floor and extinguished it.
Firefighters then searched the building to make certain no one was inside.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Firefighters remained at the scene for more than two hours and cleared the property at approximately 4:45 p.m.
The blaze adds another chapter to the troubled final years of one of Mason City’s most recognizable historic buildings.
Mohawk Square was constructed in 1917-18 and served as Mason City Senior High School until 1967. It was also home to Mason City Junior College from 1918 until 1955.
The building is especially notable for its connection to Mason City native Meredith Willson, the famed composer and creator of “The Music Man,” who was a member of the high school’s first graduating class in 1919.
After its years as an educational facility ended, the building was converted into office space and became home to a number of public and private organizations.
Its condition deteriorated dramatically after heavy rains in May 2019 caused a major roof failure, forcing offices inside the building to close and relocate.
NIT reported at the time that the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health was among the agencies displaced after the roof collapse. Readers can revisit NIT’s original coverage and photos of the damage here.
The building never fully recovered.
Water intrusion, mold, structural deterioration and other problems continued as Mohawk Square sat largely vacant. Preservation Iowa placed the former school on its 2020 Most Endangered Properties list, noting its architectural and historical importance.
Mohawk Square is a contributing structure in the Downtown Mason City Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Efforts were made over the years to find a developer willing to save and reuse the massive structure, but the financial obstacles became overwhelming.
A structural analysis estimated that bringing the building into code compliance could cost more than $30 million.
Mason City eventually pursued legal action to take control of the abandoned and deteriorating property. After litigation and an appeal, the city was cleared to move forward with plans to demolish the structure.
City officials have said demolition is considered necessary because of the building’s deteriorated condition and the lack of a financially viable redevelopment proposal.
The city has also pursued federal brownfield funding to help address asbestos and other environmental concerns before demolition and future redevelopment of the property.
Thursday’s electrical fire occurred as the century-old landmark is already approaching the end of its existence.
The Mason City Fire Department was assisted at the scene by Alliant Energy, the Mason City Police Department, Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management and NI-CERT.
The fire remains under investigation.
Why are there any live electrical connections to that building in the first place, seems odd to me.