[ Mid-tempo music plays ] Kohlsdorf: Mason City's place in American culture is not only defined by architectural giant Frank Lloyd Wright.

The seat of Cerro Gordo County found its way onto radios and televisions across the country through the musical works of Meredith Willson.

Meredith Willson, who wrote "The Music Man," was born right here in Mason City.

This is his home.

This is the place where he based River City.

In the early 1900s, a lot of those references he made in "The Music Man" come straight from here, which is why we also celebrate him so much.

Kohlsdorf: Music Man Square was completed in 2002, honoring Willson's accomplishments.

The facility is home to a community center, rehearsal space, and museum.

Visitors step back in time to the 1912 streetscape, complete with storefronts from the musical.

[ Music continues ] Next door to Music Man Square sits Willson's boyhood home.

Meticulously restored to its original condition, it paints a picture of the musical prodigy's upbringing in Iowa.

In the very first parlor that you walk into, that's actually where Rosalie Willson taught piano.

She was the basis for Marian the Librarian.

We have some photos there of, actually, the boys, as I always refer to them when I give my tours, learning piano.

Music Man Square has always been here to celebrate Meredith and music.

It is a tribute to everything he has done.

[ Music ends ]