CEDAR RAPIDS – More than 75 people toured historic buildings at the south end of New Bohemia during Save CR Heritage’s inaugural CR Hearts Tour.

A snowfall that began Saturday morning ended just before the tour of the six sites began on a seasonal February afternoon.

Tour-goers were among the first to see inside the relocated and restored White Elephant building, along with the Lunak House and Novotny House, two Czech immigrant homes; the Park Fulton Filling Station and Friendly Service Station and the former Ideal Theatre.

All of the buildings were brought back after sustaining major flooding in 2008, and some again in 2016, serving as a testament to the craftsmanship and durability of the historic structures, some of which date to the 1880s, and to the vision of the owners who restored them.

Special thanks to all of the business owners who opened their buildings to the public and to the many volunteers and board members of Save CR Heritage and Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District, who co-hosted the event, and to Rustic Hearth Bakery and Great American Popcorn Co. and others who donated food.

The tour celebrated the fifth anniversary of Save CR Heritage, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of the value of historic buildings to the community.

Learn more about each of the historic buildings on the tour, as well as the post-tour sites.

Save CR Heritage has been raising awareness of at-risk historic properties in Cedar Rapids since 2012. Help continue this important educational and advocacy work by donating here. We can’t do it without you!