CITY OF toledo
From its nostalgic Main Street to modern amenities, Toledo, Iowa (pop. 2,369) offers a welcoming community with diverse demographics. The city, once renowned for Leander Clark College, now celebrates its iconic downtown stoplight and features the iconic cow and calf sculpture in honor of Norma "Duffy" Lyon.
PHOTOS FROM THE 2024 TOLEDO STOPLIGHT FESTIVAL
HISTORY
Toledo was chosen the county seat of Tama County in 1853, and its downtown area is full of landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Tama County Courthouse. The Wieting Theater was built in 1912 and given to the people of Toledo by Mrs. Philip Wieting in memory of her husband.
butter cow sculpture
Norma "Duffy" Lyon of Toledo, Iowa began sculpting the Iowa State Fair's butter cow in 1960, becoming the fourth person and first woman to sculpt the fair's butter beauties. Norma studied animal science at Iowa State University, was an American farmer, and often called "the Butter Cow lady."
A sculpture depicting one of Duffy Lyon's butter cows with calf stands on the hill near the corner of Highway 63 and old Highway 30.