Anamosa

by Becky DirksHaugsted

Overview

Anamosa is in the heart of Jones County along the Wapsipinicon River. Initially named Buffalo Forks in 1838, the town was platted as Dartmouth and incorporated as Lexington. In 1842, a Native American girl named Anamosa passed through with her family and endeared herself to those who met her. At Edmund Booth's suggestion, the town's name was changed to Anamosa in 1851. Gradually, it incorporated Strawberry Hill, a small settlement to the east. Grant Wood was born just east of Anamosa and is laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery. He is best known for his painting American Gothic; the dour woman and somber man, who is holding a pitchfork, is an iconic image of the 20th century. Anamosa is now a thriving community and was named the "Pumpkin Capital of Iowa" in 1993. It is the only "Anamosa" in the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738598932
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	06/24/2013
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	1,043,243
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Becky DirksHaugsted was born in Anamosa. She joined the Marine Corps in 1978 and returned to Anamosa in 1992. After retiring from the Iowa National Guard in 1999, she started to devote much of her time to her community. She is active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amvets, chamber of commerce, and local historical societies as well as other community endeavors. Becky works at the Anamosa Journal-Eureka, a newspaper over 150 years old.