Heartland View

Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: A Look Inside 360'

Media Credit: Jessa Bears

Media Credit: Jessa Bears

Media Credit: Jessa Bears

Fifty-four miles northeast of Omaha, Neb., is a town called Atlantic, Iowa, which is filled with many comforts that take you back as far as the 1800s. Today, these same places are still around for us to enjoy.

Lodging

Sunnyside Park Campgrounds

For those of you who love the outdoors, forget about staying in a hotel room, enjoy your stay at Sunnyside Park Campgrounds.

Here you will not go wrong on the price. Drive up your camper, and park it for only $10 a night, or if you really want to enjoy the outdoors, one tent will cost you only $5 a night. Along with the campgrounds, there is also a 4-H ground, a rodeo arena, a ball park, shelter houses, charcoal grills and a park for the kids called the Kiwanis Kiddie Korral which was built in 1975.

S.F. Martin House

The S.F. Martin House, located on 419 Popular St., was built in 1873. This Victorian home features a grand staircase, chandeliers, five fireplaces, and has been used as a Bed and Breakfast since 1991.

A total of 3 rooms are rented out for $50-$75 a night, which includes a private bathroom, and breakfast in the morning. Other meals can be served but are not included in the price. For more information on the S.F. Martin House, contact Roger Steffens at (877) 243-5589.

Whitney Inn

Are you tired of the same old hotel rooms, with just one room for you to stay in? At Whitney Inn, you can spice things up and stay at a historic hotel.

Employee Mona Paul remembers coming here when she was younger and wearing her heels and "good clothes" to enjoy a good time.

Whitney Inn was built in the late 1800s but first served as a John Deere Implement Dealership, retirement community and then a hotel called Boss Hotel.

Today, called Whitney Inn, you not only have a bedroom with a queen size bed, but, included in the price range of $40-$55 a night, you will get to enjoy a full-functioning kitchen, bathroom, living room and dining room!

Ten dollar discounts are available if you are looking to make Whitney Inn your home for 5 or more nights. One of the eight available rooms can be yours today by calling (712) 243-1818.

Restaurants

Fireside Lounge

If you are looking for a place to get something to eat, and enjoy yourself, Fireside Lounge, located on West 7th St., is just the bar and grill you are looking for.

The menu is filled with inexpensive sandwiches such as grilled burgers and fries. Employee Joyce Hart said that a typical meal, consisting of a main dish and a side order, will cost you around $4.50-$4.75.

Fireside Lounge is also known for hosting great entertainment ranging from karaoke, various bands, and even comedians for you to listen to while you eat.

Farmers Kitchen

Are you looking to enjoy a little bit of the country right inside town? Farmers Kitchen, located on 319 Walnut St., brings you to a place filled with lots of antiques that country-lovers enjoy and city-lovers can learn from. Here, a typical meal ranges from $5.00-$7.50.

Main Street Grill

Reservations are a must at the luxurious, restored Main Street Grill. Main Street Grill is located on Chestnut St., and is located right below Whitney Inn.

Here you can order anything your heart desires because they have a huge menu ranging from steak, seafood, Mexican dishes, pasta, and for those health nuts, salads.

Main Street Grill offers very nutritious meals because the majority of their vegetables are homegrown in the courthouse located directly outside of the restaurant.

"Around 90 percent of our food is homemade," owner Leslie Becker said.

Along with the great food they serve and the beautiful Victorian atmosphere inside, the friendly workers at Main Street Grill will make you feel right at home. For more information, visit their website at www.main-street-grill.com.

Entertainment

Log Cabin

History is located all over Atlantic, Iowa, and another piece of history is located in City Park.

Built in 1863, this Log Cabin was built by school teacher, John Gingery, where nine of his 10 children were born.

The Log Cabin was used as the first school house until 1863 when a new school was built. Finally in 1976, the Gipple Farm, the Atlantic Rotary Club, and the Boy Scout Club showed an interest in restoring the Log Cabin.

To make sure that everything was put back together in its original location during the restoration process, every log on the cabin was numbered so it would be put back together the way it was meant to be.

Old County School House

If you ever want to know how nice it is to live in the decade we do, with the buildings we have, you can find out how lucky you are by visiting the one room Old County School House located in Sunnyside Park.

The School House was built in 1870 and was originally the school of Bear Grove Township. Today, you can find it restored, completely furnished with curtains, desks, and books to make your visit to the school house one that you will remember forever.

Rock Island Depot

Last but not least, the Rock Island Depot which is located on Chestnut St., has been restored in its original state, and is currently being used as Atlantic's Chamber of Commerce.

No matter what you are looking for, Atlantic, Iowa, has something that everyone can enjoy.

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