The State Historical Society of Iowa and the nonprofit group Preservation Iowa presented the state’s highest awards for historic preservation June 6 during the 2019 Preserve Iowa Summit in Newton, Iowa, according to a press release.

The State Historical Society, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, presented its annual Preservation Project of Merit awards to historic properties in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Northwood and Waterloo.

The awards recognize projects that exemplify the best practices of historic preservation, meet the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings, and use the State Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District Tax Credit Program.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows-Erickson Building, the site of Worth Brewing Co. and Bee Hive Ballroom in Northwood, received the Adrian D. Anderson Award for outstanding historic preservation of a project having total qualified costs of $500,000 or less. It was built in 1896 and is the largest operating structure within the Central Avenue Historic District in Northwood, just a few miles from the Minnesota state line, the press release states.

It was designed by architect J.L. Rood of St. Paul, who also designed the Worth County Courthouse nearby.

The rectangular two-story brick building is marked by two bays in the Italianate style, and its hollow tile brick was an innovation at the time. The IOOF half of the building was owned by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which rented the lower level for a department store and maintained offices and a ballroom on the second level.

The Erickson half was owned by John A. Erickson. As a whole, the building was a primary retail hub for hardware, general goods, restaurants and other retail stores during the 20th century.

By 2015, the building was abandoned and in derelict condition with a deteriorating roof. After three years of rehabilitation, the building now hosts events in the restored ballroom and houses Worth Brewing Co.

More information about Iowa’s historic properties and locations are available on the Iowa Culture app or iowaculture.gov. Preservation Iowa is a statewide nonprofit organization that educates Iowans about the importance of preserving history in the land between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Preserving these resources not only helps establish unique places but is a wise economic and environmental choice, according to the press release. Membership and support for the organization helps honor significant preservation successes and raises awareness for the need to preserve endangered properties.