For generations, the Tom Tom Tap has been more than just a place to grab a drink or a bite to eat. Located inside the historic Hotel Ottumwa at 107 E. Second Street, the longtime gathering place has welcomed everyone from business professionals and travelers to families celebrating life’s biggest moments.
As the Tom Tom Tap reopens under new ownership, it carries with it a rich history that stretches back more than seven decades.
The story begins with Hotel Ottumwa, which opened in 1917 during one of the city’s most prosperous eras. At the time, Ottumwa was booming thanks to coal mining, railroads, manufacturing, and the meatpacking industry. The six-story hotel quickly became one of southeast Iowa’s premier destinations, offering elegant guest rooms, ballrooms, dining facilities, meeting spaces, and a prime downtown location overlooking the Des Moines River.
The Tom Tom Tap did not exist when the hotel first opened. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, as cocktail lounges became popular across the country, part of the hotel’s first floor was transformed into a stylish new lounge. The design reflected the era with a horseshoe-shaped bar, comfortable booths, neon lighting, and a relaxed atmosphere that would remain largely unchanged for decades.
One of the lounge’s most recognizable features arrived in 1951, when Iowa artist Daniel MacMorris painted the now-famous Ceremonial Fire mural. The Native American-themed artwork, illuminated under black lights, stretches across much of the room and has become one of Ottumwa’s most iconic interior works of art. For many visitors, seeing the mural has become just as memorable as enjoying a meal or drink.
Although the exact origin of the name “Tom Tom” has never been officially documented, it reflects a style common among hospitality businesses during the mid-20th century. The lounge’s identity became closely associated with Native American-inspired décor, especially after the installation of the mural.
Throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and beyond, the Tom Tom Tap earned a reputation as one of Ottumwa’s favorite gathering places. Factory workers, railroad employees, business owners, local leaders, hotel guests, and families all found their way to the horseshoe bar. Whether stopping in for lunch from the Second Street Café, enjoying pizza, sharing one of its well-known Bloody Marys, or simply catching up with friends, the Tom Tom became a place where community connections were made.
Like many downtown hotels across America, Hotel Ottumwa struggled as interstate travel shifted visitors toward newer roadside motels. The hotel closed in 1973 and remained vacant for nearly a decade, leaving many residents concerned that one of the city’s most recognizable buildings might be lost forever.
That changed in 1982 when the Schwartz family purchased the property and launched an ambitious restoration project. Their investment brought Hotel Ottumwa back to life while preserving much of its historic character. Rather than modernizing the Tom Tom Tap beyond recognition, they maintained its classic mid-century appearance, allowing generations of patrons to enjoy a space that felt much as it had decades earlier.
Over the next 44 years, the Tom Tom Tap became the backdrop for countless memories. It hosted business lunches, wedding celebrations, class reunions, after-work gatherings, holiday parties, and conversations that often lasted for hours. It became a destination not only for Ottumwa residents but also for visitors staying at the hotel or attending community events downtown.
In the spring of 2026, the Schwartz family announced the closure of Hotel Ottumwa after more than four decades of ownership. The news sparked an outpouring of memories from residents who recalled first dates, wedding receptions, family celebrations, and lifelong friendships connected to the Tom Tom Tap.
Fortunately, the story did not end there.
In August 2026, the Tom Tom Tap reopened under new ownership, preserving one of Ottumwa’s most cherished gathering places while continuing the traditions that have made it a local landmark for generations.
Today, the Tom Tom Tap remains a living piece of Ottumwa history. From its iconic horseshoe-shaped bar and the glowing Ceremonial Fire mural to the countless stories shared within its walls, the establishment continues to connect the city’s past with its future.
Fast Facts
- Hotel Ottumwa opened: 1917
- Ceremonial Fire mural painted: 1951
- Artist: Daniel MacMorris
- Hotel closed: 1973
- Purchased and restored: 1982 by the Schwartz family
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: 2012
- Tom Tom Tap reopened: August 2026 under new ownership
For many in Ottumwa, the Tom Tom Tap is far more than a bar. It is a place where friendships were formed, milestones were celebrated, and memories continue to be made. As it enters its newest chapter, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks remains ready to welcome both longtime patrons and first-time visitors.
