Iowa Products
Iowa is known as The Hawkeye State officially and The Tall Corn State unofficially. Its highest point of elevation is Hawkeye Point which is located in NW Iowa near Sibley and is 1,670 feet. Iowa’s Capital is Des Moines and in NE Iowa you can find the largest group of animal shaped prehistoric knolls in the entire world located at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Clayton and Allamakee Counties…an unexpected but beautiful site, along with The Driftless Area with its deep valleys, steep hills, forest and terraced fields.
Amana Colonies are comprised of seven villages of German Pietists in Iowa. Amana is widely known for its unique craft shops and restaurants that serve home-cooked meals. There are wine shops, woodworking shops, the Millstream Brewery and a bakery to name a few. Since 1965 it has been listed as a National Historic Landmark. I never tire of visiting this wonderful site.
Kalona is known as the quilt capital of Iowa. It offers a quaint historic downtown area with locally owned antique, local products shops and restaurants. It is located near both Iowa City and the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi. Kalona is also the home of the Iowa Mennonite Archives which is located at the Kalona Historical Village. Located a few miles northwest of Kalona is the Iowa Mennonite School.
La Porte City is in Black Hawk County and is 14 miles SE of Waterloo. It has a population of 2,275 and 93% of commuters drive to work. A well known resident was Fran Allison, the actress of “Kukla, Fran & Ollie”fame. 45% of La Porte City residents report they are of German ancestry; 13% report they are Irish. It is said that “All trails lead to LaPorte City, Iowa.”
Latimer is touted as Iowa’s Northern Star. It is located in Franklin County, has 210 households and a population of about 600 people. Franklin County was named for Benjamin Franklin and is known for its annual Franklin County Fair held in nearby Hampton every July which generally features concerts with nationally popular entertainers. In addition the fairgrounds offer some free entertainment, a museum, farm demos with horse-powered equipment and antique tractors.
Linn Grove is known as the catfish capital of Iowa and is located on the Little Sioux River in the northern part of Buena Vista County. You may want to check it out one of these days when you’re planning your next fishing trip.
Melrose is known as Iowa’s Little Ireland with 41 % of its population being of Irish descent. Where else can you go in the midwest and be greeted by leprechauns as you enter the town? A must see is the Melrose Variety Show, a fundraising event that has featured the Blues Brothers as well as hilariously funny local talent – and that’s no blarney.
Milford the Southern Gateway to The Iowa Great Lakes is located in Dickinson County and is a notable area for shopping in the Iowa Great Lakes area. Although Milfords population is around 3,000 people, the attraction of the Iowa Great Lakes draws around 100,000 people to Dickinson County in the summer. You’ll find a 180 acre park seven miles SW of Milford – Horseshoe Bend Park has a picnic shelter, walking trails and bridge, and a wonderful shelter that has a sitting area with a fireplace. The fireplace is especially welcome when visitors come to the ski lift area of the park in the winter to enjoy a variety of winter fun like sledding, skiing and snow tubing and need a cozy place to get warm.
Shelby is known as the Purple Martin Capital of Iowa with its 50 Martin Houses which were built to help control mosquitos and not harm the environment. If you’re traveling down Interstate 80, which runs from coast to coast across the US, be sure to make a stop in Shelby to see the Martin houses. While you’re in the area you can also visit an 1880’s era demo farm, the Carsten’s Farm as a reminder of days gone by.
Washta’s claim to fame is tauted as the Coldest Spot in Iowa. It is located in Cherokee County near the Little Sioux River and is 35 miles East of Sioux City on Hwy 31. If your hot flashes are having hot flashes, head on over to Washta to cool your jets.
Fill your Iowa State cookie jar with the cookies you made with your Iowa state cookie cutter. You’ll be all set for the tailgate party as they scramble for the sweet treats you made. The Iowa Hawkeyes coffee mugs will hold your favorite hot beverages whether it’s coffee, tea, hot chocolate or apple cider. Have a toast to the team – Go Hawkeyes!
The Clint Eastwood movie, The Bridges of Madison County, was filmed in Madison County, Iowa.
John Wayne’s Birthplace Museum is in Winterset, Iowa.
The birthplace and grave of President Herbert Hoover are located in West Branch, Iowa where you’ll find the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.
There are a lot of wonderful places to see in Iowa so it’s worth your time to check it out.
