All of it is within the original town of Marshalltown, which was laid out and recorded on August 15, 1853, as the village of Marshall.

Confusion with a town with the same name in Henry County led this village to be renamed Marshalltown in 1862.

The district contains a mix of commercial buildings, an opera house, a movie theater, a fraternal hall, and warehouses.

Prominent architects who have buildings in the district include John C. Cochrane (courthouse; 1886), Patton and Miller (public library; 1902), Harry E. Reimer (Marshalltown Municipal Building; 1921), and Josselyn and Todd (Marshalltown Memorial Coliseum; 1929).

It did significant damage to many buildings in the historic district, including the courthouse, city hall, and the civic auditorium.