In 1936 when the children's storybook Farm on the Hill was published, most Iowans knew Grant Wood as a famous Midwestern artist who was born on a farm near Anamosa in 1891, grew up in Cedar Rapids, and gained instant fame after painting “American Gothic” in 1930, a portrait of a stern looking couple
Summertime in Iowa means countless community celebrations and parades throughout the state. Many of today’s Brat Days, Corn Days, and 4th of July festivities had their roots in 19th and 20th century events and continue in the 21st century. That’s a long tradition of summer fun across the Hawkeye sta
Farm women in 1876 were usually called “farm wives” while their husbands were called “farmers,” implying they were not an equal partner in the business of farming. But Susan H. Jennings of Henry County was a true farmer in her own right.
Al and Emmet Burton thought they had a thriving little business going—illegal but profitable. But a German tramp who couldn’t speak English and a club-footed horse put them out of business and into the county jail.
William Howard Taft's inaugural parade in March 1909 was canceled because of a snow storm, but the inaugural ball was held and a young Iowa woman was among the attendees. The young woman had just returned from touring Europe and performing on stages in London, Lucerne and Paris. But she also had a h
“Men are savages at meals. Give ‘em music.” That was the opinion of Fort Madison State Penitentiary warden James C. Sanders. Sanders was in the position for ten years, 1908 to 1918, and his philosophy about penal systems caused a sensation around the country.
It was the Iowa State Fair of 1860—the seventh ever held. The state was young—only 14 years old. The American Civil War had not yet started in 1860. The capital had only recently been moved to Des Moines from Iowa City. The population of the state was not quite 700,000.
Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade was the only civilian killed at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War, but her sacrifice would have been overlooked if not for a group of Iowa women.
In the summer of 1913 a gang of horse thieves was operating from Boone to Belle Plaine and points in between all spring and summer. Finally, in August there was a breakthrough.
Mae, Anna, Loren, and little Eva were just four of the 45 victims in a deadly train crash four and a half miles north of Green Mountain in March 1910. Descriptions at the scene of the tragedy were gruesome.
Decoration Day (Memorial Day) in Iowa in the past was celebrated much as it was in other parts of the country—parades, picnics, speeches and church services. In Denison in 1911 Decoration Day was celebrated with a couple of baseball games between city teams. The Court House Rats defeated the Has Bee
“As usual, this year’s class was the best in history.” The newspaper reporter who covered the Centerville High School class of 1896 must have been a cantankerous, but seasoned writer. And he certainly had attended more graduation ceremonies than he cared to in his lifetime.
