The Department of Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University is leading the way in tornado research with its tornado simulator. Additional work, including landscaping and demolition of the old bridge is anticipated to begin in 2022. Some say Lottie haunts the cemetery and that a curse will befall those who visit her gravesite. In contrast to the Young Drift Plains, which are flat and well-suited for farming, the Driftless Area is primarily composed of pine forests and cliff faces. Agriculture is king in Iowa. Iowa is the only state name that starts with two vowels! [23], 41. Most of these places arent well publicized. Instead of moving forward, she jumped off the edge of a cliff only to meet her end on Stony Hollow Road. For more interesting articles about United States, read: For some great articles about facts, check out: L_Rey Give us feedback about this article. The name RAGBRAI comes from the fact that bikers travel across Iowa. Here are 15 things you probably didnt know about the Hawkeye State. These are just some of the interesting Iowa facts to know about. With 85 state parks, six state forests, and 24 state wildlife areas, you will never get bored in Iowa. The mother then committed suicide by jumping off the bridge. Find out how to tour the house. An educational powerhouse, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium hosts dozens of exhibits relating to history, culture, and science. Its technically against the law for mustached men to kiss women publicly in Iowa. Another official was sent to resurvey, but his line was a bit north of the original line, to the tune of 2,600 acres. It measures nine feet in width and 14 feet in length with the handle included. Orange City, Iowa holds an annual Tulip Festival to pay homage to the early Dutch settlers that called Orange City home in the 1800s. Company number: 12574148. List of Iowa facts cannot be complete without mentioning this fact. The winding road of Snake Alley was constructed in 1894 as an experiment intended to replicate European vineyard paths. The first commercial pre-sliced bread, the famous Wonder Bread, appeared on store shelves. Upon closer inspection, it wasnt a ball at allit was actually a 12,000-year-old woolly mammoth femur. 15. The Christmas Chapel contains a 300-lb. According to local lore, three witches were violently executed and were buried here, but not before threatening to curse anyone who desecrated their graves. [25], 44. They call it the Island City all the time. In MidAmerican Energy's fleet alone, there are over 3,400 wind turbines. Construction began in July 2017. Some of the paranormal reports at this mental hospital include the feeling of being watched by someone or something. Iowa is the Largest Corn Producer in America. The University of Iowa was founded in 1847 and is the oldest university in the state. CATEGORY 3 - FACT 1. Many versions of the popular dessert bar exist, and they are a staple at potlucks and gatherings in Iowa. Over 150 people have died on the grounds of Edinburgh Manor. Iowa is known for having some of the most productive and richest soil in the world, with 11,000 different soil types. 13.We have our own version of the famousNazca Lineshere in the United Statesand some of them are in Iowa. Nevertheless, it was a monumental achievement and went down in the record books of Iowa facts and history. It faced to the west toward the bustling Milwaukee tracks and depot. It is really a fun Facts about Iowa. Numerous witnesses have reported seeing the ghost. In 2014, the Today Show named Des Moines the wealthiest city, and it's known as a fast-growing hub, full of a unique culture that's all its own. Destguides may receive commissions from purchases made through affiliate links in this article. In addition to education initiatives, the museum advocates for conservation and works with local organizations on research and restorative projects. It's said that Farrar School is haunted. Check out some of these interesting Iowa facts. 16) Left-handed people die 3 years earlier than right-handed people. The famous actor John Wayne was born in Winterset on May 26, 1907. With all these interesting facts about Iowa, it's hard not to develop a newfound appreciation for the state. One of the best things about Iowa is that there isn't a lot of traffic (with the exception of a few major roads), and there are almost never traffic jams, especially if you live in a small town or suburb. Drivers along the road have reported sightings of Lucinda over the years. The building has served as a location for live performances as well as modern motion pictures. Iowas state motto is Our liberties we prize and our rights we maintain. Hoover's popularity grew during WWI when he led several humanitarian efforts. Over 20 modern-day tribal nations across the Midwest have cultural associations with the Effigy Mounds. The Iowa Organic Association also makes information on Iowa organic farming more accessible to the public. Iowa State University is the oldest land grant college in the U.S.A. Decorah hosts Nordic Fest a three-day celebration of Decorah's Scandinavian heritage. Rumor has it that a student killed himself there, and everyone who is assigned to that room either dies or disappears. Locals tell a story of harrowing events that happen at 8:47 p.m. on December 23. Iowa is a Midwestern U.S. state located in the heartland region of the United States. Shattuck was a major contributor to the Universitys theater department when she was alive. Iowa is known as The Hawkeye State, but there has been much debate over the exact source and timing of the nickname. From literary achievements to cutting-edge cancer research and bike races to wine tastings, there are many interesting and fun facts about Iowa State to discover. [2], 19. Black Hawk County in Iowa is also named for the famed warrior. Up until June 9, 1912, Villisca, Iowa was an ordinary town. Twelve years after the book was first published, a local court and publisher succeeded in having the nickname formally recognized. Iowa also consistently ranks top in the nation for SAT and ACT test scores. As of Sept. 1, 2018, Iowa's . [16], 8. Authorities eventually found their hideout and a shootout ensued. Terms of Service apply. It is known as a research university and home to the famed Hawkeyes football team. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The basement is home to additional unknown entities. ISU also has a history of hauntings. She believes in serial commas, kindness, and good food. Sabula is just one mile long and a quarter of a mile wide, with a mere 576 residents. Legend says her house once stood in the very spot where Swope Hall stands today. This gift store is housed in a historic building, which has a darker history in relation to the murder of a woman that occurred in the building many years before. There is much happening in Iowa to learn about. Todays variety bears little resemblance to the 1872 original. Iowa has a 99% literacy rate, making it the best in the country. Iowa has more golf courses per capita than any other state. The largest man-made Grotto in the world, the Grotto contains the largest collection of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location! Ashton Kutcherwas born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Iowa State Facts Entered Union: Dec. 28, 1846 (29th State) Organized as territory: June 12, 1838 Present constitution adopted: 1857 Fun Facts State abbreviation/Postal code: Iowa/IA Nickname: The Hawkeye State Origin of name: From the Iowa River, which was named after the Ioway (or Bxoe) people. He is 28 feet tall and has a 15-foot span between horns. Its six bordering states are Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. In her spare time, she enjoys reading a good book, or just binge watching Netflix. Iowa's farmlands cover 85% of the state. The abbreviation for Iowa is IA. 2. People have also claimed to see the ghosts of former staff members and patients. You probably never seen a wooden nickel, but here in Iowa, on a farm, is a 12-inch worlds largest wooden Nickel.[9]. There have even been recordings of these voices on multiple occasions. Reports may differ as to spell the name of the locally famous haunted house, but its merit as a haunted site is hard to argue. Although Independence State Mental Hospital remains a fully operational institution it is quite apparent some of the former patients have never left. You can travel across three states without actually leaving the city. She later attended the University of Iowa and became the first student there to earn a master's in journalism. She and four other children from her family are buried near the back. The state has always held the first caucus in presidential elections since 1972, up until the most recent one in 2020. [6], 28. More than 1,070 are . In 1927, Iowa inventor and engineer, Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the automatic bread-slicing machine. Iowa sets the record of the highest number of pigs in the USA. Iowa (nicknamed: Hawkeye State) has 99 counties. Five towns in Iowa are connected by a bridge that spans 25 miles. It is said that these sensations strengthen the closer one gets to a certain grave, one that has a headstone carved from part of a tree. Privacy Policy  |   Terms & Conditions Some settlers came to work in lead mines. Herbert Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa to a Quaker family in 1874. Off-campus, the affiliated ISU Research Park is a 400-acre complex of research, learning, and business innovation. In fact, the state even has an official state soil, called . The statue sits in the Council Bluffs Cemetery. They are open for public viewing- about 20 large-scale models. Iowa farms produce over 2 billion bushels of corn per year. Its the Home of the Worlds Largest Bullhead Fish Statue, The statue is 12 feet long. It has grown into a massive event with participants from all over the US. It is the only capitol with 5 domes in the United States. The phenomena seem to occur only when the place is nearly empty of people. The best crop is grown to be corn. 38. Paranormal investigators have flocked to Edinburgh Manor over the years to study and document alleged hauntings. However, sliced bread has been around for less than a century. Farms produce enough food to feed over 300 people. The champions in this sport have been honored in the Hall of Fame. Rainbow Bridge in Lake City, Iowa. In its new, frightening fact sheet, Environment Iowa found that: 1. The new drone technology being developed hopes to reduce that. These lands make up the vast majority of the farmlands that currently support the local economy with agricultural products. The 1930s crime spree brought about by Bonnie and Clyde once came through Iowa. According to the writings of an early pioneer, the name comes from an incident where a tribe of Native Americans spied the land for the first time and proclaimed it Iowa, Iowa, Iowa, which meant beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. However, another story says that its just a variation on the French word Ayuhwa, which means sleepy onessomething the Dakota Sioux tribe called the Ioway Nation. According to reports, a strange low moan can be heard constantly here. Have you ever wondered what Iowa, the Land Where the Tall Corn Grows, is famous for (besideswellcorn)? And in the Crawford-McElroy Complex, there is a ghost stuck in the 1960s who goes on panty raids. As of 2013, the state's hog population was 21.2 million animals, whereas the human population was just north of three million. Des Moines is the capital of Iowa state as well as the epicenter for US insurance companies and financial institutions. He developed strains of wheat that were disease-resistant. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. So far there are about 70 excellent designs stretching from Wright Brothers Flyer to Notre Dame Cathedral. The governors of each state threatened each other with combat, with militias and volunteers called to gather at the border. Over the years hundreds of people who have gone to the house have experienced an assortment of paranormal activity. Veterinarian and researcher, Dr. William Switzer created the first kennel cough vaccine at the Veterinary Medical Research Institute at Iowa State University in 1977. Legend claims that if you go to where Lucinda jumped to her death at the bluffs at night and utter her name three times, she may appear. According to Trulia.com, the average listing price for a single-family home in Iowa is $174,101, higher only than the average listing price in Ohio. It is considered to be among the largest trail bridges in the world. Its the oldest water tower in Iowa and one of the top ten oldest water towers in the united states. Due to its fascinating topography, Iowa is the land of rolling hills. Since 1973, this location has hosted the worlds longest, biggest, and oldest recreational bicycle touring event. Michaela is a born and raised Iowan. Its the biggest grotto in the world made of petrifications, shells, and minerals. In 1857, the state capital was moved from Iowa City to Des Moines. Best known for the Nancy Drew series, author Mildred Wirt Benson was an Iowa native. There are more golf courses per capita in Iowa than in any other state. The 1973 Gitchie Manitou Murders involved an attack on a group of five teenagers at Gitchie Manitou State Preserve in Lyon County, Iowa. Both governors made battle threats, and militias and volunteers were mobilized to the border. Clinton, Iowa, and Fulton, Illinois, were joined for the first time in 1939 thanks to the construction of Lock and Dam. Officially nicknamed "The Hoosier State" and sometimes called "The Mother of Vice Presidents," Indiana was the 19 th state to join the United States of America on December 11, 1816. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bats in Iowa have an important job as the state's natural pest control. The chandelier at the entrance also moves of Reports say visitors to the theater get the feeling of being watched, and have seen a ghostly little girl. She was a former Red Cross nurse during World War I who haunts Gold Star Hall. People claim this bridge is haunted by a ghost. Johnny Carson went on to serve in the US Navy during WWII before beginning his famous entertainment career. There are thousands of insurance and finance companies headquartered in Iowa. Thank you! Iowa State University was established in 1858 as an agricultural college. People driving on the road claim to see Lucindas ghost walking around. This particular ghost apparently has a tremendous appreciation for chocolate. The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa is known for groundbreaking cancer research and treatment. Mirrored after similar festivals in Holland, the Orange City Tulip Festival showcases colorful tulips in parades and floral shows. In certain areas patients underwent electric shock therapy while others underwent lobotomies. EXTREMELY Unsettling Facts Pt. Corn production provides income for Iowas economy. Learn more on the haunted Villisca Ax Murder House, Villisca, Iowa. Grant was known for his paintings of rural Midwest landscapes. One of the leading African American oriented newspapers in the Midwest, the Iowa Bystander, was founded in 1894. Some people have claimed to have been pulled or pushed by hands that are not there. After being empty for quite some time the house was purchased and the doors were opened to people interested in seeing the famous home where the murders took place. Iowa is an extremely safe place to live. Green Lawn Cemetery, aka CSAH (County State Aid Highway) 20 Cemetery and Traverse de Sioux Cemetery, is rumored to be haunted and a spot for animal sacrifices. Unfortunately, the man never showed up. The name Iowa comes from its indigenous Native American tribe, the Ioway Indians, who lived along the Mississippi River. [14], 11. In the American Gothic painting, the American Gothic House is in Eldon, Iowa. This sacred site was constructed over a 42-year period, beginning in 1912, using semiprecious stones from every state in the U.S. and every world region. The trampoline soared in popularity and is still a common fitness and recreation device used today. But, for people who dont already live here (and know how awesome Iowa is), here are a few interesting facts that may just make you want to move: There is just no place like Iowa. Developed by Engineering Professor Partha Sarkar, the simulator helps scientists study the effects of tornadoes for better planning on communities they threaten. In Iowa, you will never be bored with the endless summer heat because we have four seasons and each one is more beautiful than the last. The state flower of Iowa is the wild rose (fun fact: the province of. 8. It has a population of 6,732,219 people, making it the 17 th most populous state. An archaeological dig later revealed much of the entire skeleton. Peoplewho live in Iowaor who come fromIowaare referred to as Iowans and upon occasion, they are referred to as Hawkeyes. 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