History of the Loess Hills Hospitality Association
The idea for tourism in the Loess Hills region of Western Iowa began in 1988 with a Centennial in the town of Soldier, Iowa (population 220). Two men from California were awed with the uniqueness of the Loess Hills and decided to buy an acreage near Castana (population 130). Their intention was to build cabins where tourist could come and enjoy touring, hiking, horseback, etc., in the surrounding areas. A site was selected and plans were made. However, after 5 months their negotiations failed to purchase the property and an alternative idea was proposed.
An idea was formed to create a network of small town and farm families who would be paid to host visitors from Europe. A tour package was developed for English speaking Europeans who would come to Iowa for two weeks to see the real America and spend several days in Western Iowa. Local families were contacted and scheduled for tours, but after two tour cancellations the project was abandoned.
Having aroused their interest in tourism, the local groups pursued finding another solution and by November 1989 several tourism groups met and formed the Loess Hills Development Initiative.
A new action plan was developed to form four scenic by-ways in Monona and Harrison County. County meetings were held in March and April of 1990 with the interested families and in May 1990, the Loess Hills Hospitality Association was incorporated to promote tourism in the Loess Hills area of Western Iowa. The need to develop the Loess Hills of Western Iowa as a prime tourist attraction was the motivation for forming this grass-roots group.
Financial assistance was received though a grant from Golden Hills R.C. & D. of Oakland, Iowa for the purchase of scenic byway signs and posts. Monona County Conservation designed and made the signs with the approval of the County Supervisors. With the help of Western Iowa Tourism Region grants and in-kind cash from Monona and Harrison counties, maps and color brochures were produced.
Motorcoach tours began in June of 1990 and in January 1991 the Loess Hills Hospitality Association Board took control of the project. A new plan was designed to have organizations, communities, and Churches host motorcoach tours and for L.H.H.A. to provide trained step-on guides for motorcoach tours and personal guided tours of the Loess Hills area attractions.
Since 1990, L.H.H.A. has hosted over 300 motorcoach tours and over 100 personal guided tours of the Loess Hills area. The highlight of the motorcoach tours is the home-cooked meals served in the hospitality of the local churches and communities.
The unique geology and history of the Loess Hills and small town hospitality were a perfect blend to generate tourism as a 'cash crop' in Western Iowa. Loess Hills Scenic Byway signs can be seen throughout the area depicting the scenic route that was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 2000.
The Loess Hills Hospitality Association has become a recognized and respected spokesman for the education, promotion, and protection of Iowa's Loess Hills. Today, visitors from around the world tour the National Loess Hills Scenic Byways. The economic impact is a boon for communities in the Loess Hills, as tourists bring new dollars to the area.
The Loess Hills Hospitality Association Visitors Center, located in a restored country schoolhouse in the little city of Moorhead provides information and maps to over 5000 visitors from around the world who come to the Loess Hills Scenic Byway each year.
Over twenty motorcoach tours arrive each year touring the museums, country churches, historical villages, and many attractions in the area. "Loess . . . rhymes with Bus ~ bring one! " is one of the slogans the Loess Hills Hospitality Association uses to market to tour planners. A full-day itinerary for motorcoach tours of the Loess Hills area features trained step-on guides and Host Organizations that provide home-cooked noon meals to these travelers.
Volunteers are trained to be hosts in the Visitors Center and Gift Shop, which houses arts and crafts by area consignors. Local historians are trained to be step-on guides for motorcoach tours or in visitor's private vehicles, by appointment.
The economic impact is a boon for the communities, attractions, host organizations, and consignors in the Loess Hills area, as tourists bring new dollars to the area. Tourists from far and near can begin to discover the Loess Hills beginning at L.H.H.A.'s web site at loesshillstours.com.