Table of Contents
Iowa
Hawkeye State
The Hawkeye State was named after the Black Hawk War of 1832, which was fought between American forces and Sauk warriors headed by Black Hawk.1)
The Grotto of the Redemption
West Bend, Iowa, is home to the world's biggest grotto, or man-made cave. Father Paul Dobberstein constructed “The Grotto of the Redemption,” which commemorates incidents in Jesus Christ's life.2)
Pork Farms
Iowa is the nation's leading pork producer and exporter. On any given day, around 24 million pigs are reared on one of Iowa's almost 6,000 pig farms.3)
John Wayne
John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa, which now houses the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum.4)
Arabella Mansfield
When Arabella Mansfield of Iowa passed the bar exam in 1869, she became the first female lawyer in the United States.5)
29th State
In 1846, Iowa became the 29th state of the United States of America.6)
Agriculture
More over 90% of Iowa's land is dedicated to agriculture.7)
Presidential Caucuses
Because Iowa is the first state to host presidential caucuses every four years, it is a focal point at the start of each election season.8)
American Gothic
A modest cottage in Elden, Iowa, inspired Grant Wood's iconic painting American Gothic. The home is on the National Register of Historic Sites.9)
Golden Dome of Pure Wisdom
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, an Indian guru who rose to notoriety as a spiritual teacher to The Beatles, bought Parson's College in Fairfield, Iowa, and converted it into a meditation center. The “Golden Dome of Pure Wisdom”, the most magnificent structure, is a renowned tourist attraction.10)
Native American Tribes
Originally, numerous different Native American tribes lived in Iowa. Nowadays, the Native American population is fewer than 1%, with the majority of them living on the Mesquakie Settlement, a reserve comprised of the Fox and Sauk tribes.11)
Corn
Iowa grows more corn than any other state in the country.12)
Wind Energy
Iowa is a national leader in wind power, with wind turbines producing 36% of the state's electricity.13)
Hobo
Britt, Iowa, is home to the National Hobo Museum and an annual hobo convention. The museum and festival, the ambition of three longtime hobos from Britt, strive to preserve stories of the American hobo.14)
Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa
The annual RAGBRAI, or “Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa”, is held in Iowa. The leisure cycling trip spans seven days and approximately 468 kilometers throughout Iowa.15)