Iowa is the only state name that starts with two vowels! The mounds are now a National Historic Site and are considered sacred to Native Americans. VAT registration number: 347471777. When. The Mississippi, Missouri, and Big Sioux Rivers all flow through the outer borders of Iowa. 2. 1. He is 28 feet tall and has a 15-foot span between horns. 37. Many tales abound, such as one that says shortly after her burial, thieves tried to dig up Minnesota State University Mankato is said to have a ghost who rings buzzers and another who steals toilet paper in the Crawford Dorm. The Iowa City Public Library alone boasts a collection of over 250,000 books. The first bread slicing machine was invented in Iowa by Otto Frederick Rohwedder. Riders ride across Iowa or RAGBRAI hence the name RAGBRAI. 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. George Nissen and Larry Griswold built the worlds first modern trampoline at the University of Iowa in 1934 as a training tool for athletes. The famous actor John Wayne was born in Winterset on May 26, 1907. Orange City, Iowa holds an annual Tulip Festival to pay homage to the early Dutch settlers that called Orange City home in the 1800s. 38. The hall is a tribute to graduate soldiers who died at war. With over 100 majors, Iowa State University is leading the way in science and technology in Iowa. 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. An eagle carries streamers inscribed with the state motto. were sorely mistaken as 3 inches of ice downed power lines and poles and left at least 100,000 people in Minnesota and Iowa without power . RAGBRAI covers over 460 miles across Iowa, with several towns hosting participants along the way. His birthplace home is now a museum. In 2001, an Amtrak train derailment in Iowa resulted in 90 injured and one killed. As a Midwestern state, Iowa forms a bridge between the forests of the east and the grasslands of the high . Iowa is a Midwestern U.S. state located in the heartland region of the United States. Approximately 12,000 years ago, giant sloths roamed the wildlands of present-day Iowa state. The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa is known for groundbreaking cancer research and treatment. The first Iowan to be elected to the office of the Vice President of the US was Henry Agard Wallace in 1940. Iowa State University was established in 1858 as an agricultural college. If any member of their group was sick and dying, they would simply bury Locals say a little boy's ghost appears at this popular fishing spot. An access road was completed shortly after the hotel was built which directly connected the Hotel with the Depot. A Missouri tax collector was detained in Iowa for attempting to collect money from residents of the contested Land. Also, some say if you are alone here you will feel the not-so-gentle touch of an invisible hand. Every year, only 69% of American high school seniors earn their diploma. According to reports, a strange low moan can be heard constantly here. Electrical equipment, chemical products, publishing, and primary metal companies are a huge source of employment too. Johnny Carson was born in Corning, Iowa in 1925. But what really makes space so dreadful is its unpredictability. Early on in the conflict, a copse of trees containing a large number of honeybees was destroyed. It's around 10 percent below the national average in Des Moines, and much lower in smaller towns. An initial surveyor drew a boundary four miles more north on the eastern side than the western side; a second officer was dispatched to redo the survey, but his line was still off by almost 2,600 acres. Many legends are associated with the Black Angel. That facility was meant to house drug addicts, alcoholics, the mentally ill, the elderly, and the criminally insane. In 2010, a man and his two sons were hunting for blackberries when one of the boys spotted a ball near a creek. The Effigy Mounds are believed to have been constructed during a prehistoric period over 10,000 years ago. Iowa is mostly comprised of flatlands, prairies, and lakes. #scaryfacts #horrifyingfacts. Have you ever wondered what Iowa, the Land Where the Tall Corn Grows, is famous for (besideswellcorn)? The Grotto is the largest artificial Grotto in the world, housing the worlds largest collection of gemstones and other valuable stones. According to the Department of Agriculture, there were 73.5 million in June 2018. Copyright 2022 NomadsUnveiled. I do my best to verify the accuracy of all content published here. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The Pearson House, Lewelling House, Jordan House, Hitchcock House, and John Todd House all served as safe houses for the Underground Railroad. 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. Officially nicknamed "The Hawkeye State," Iowa was the 29 th state to join the United States of America on December 28, 1846. She was supposedly going to meet the man of her dreams outside of town to elope. Other tribes traditionally inhabiting the state were the Dakota Sioux, Missouria, Illini, Ioway and Otoe. In addition to education initiatives, the museum advocates for conservation and works with local organizations on research and restorative projects. Paranormal investigators flock to the mental hospital in hopes of experiencing and recording paranormal activity. And it's old -- folks say in 1804, famed explorers Lewis and Clark visited this gravesite, leaving behind decorations to commemorate him. "Children of the Corn" now tops many lists of creepy and cool Iowa facts. The states highest point is 1670 ft (509 m) at Hawkeye Point, while the states lowest point is at 480 ft (146 m) at the Mississippi River. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 15) Dolphins can be sexually aggressive and have been known to go after humans. While on the run from the police, Bonnie and Clyde hid in an abandoned amusement park in Dexter, Iowa for several days. Veterinarian and researcher, Dr. William Switzer created the first kennel cough vaccine at the Veterinary Medical Research Institute at Iowa State University in 1977. This bridge, built in 1901, is said to be her ghost's home. [6], 28. 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. "The Grotto of the Redemption" was built by . He rebuilt the machine, and it was first used commercially in 1928. Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the automatic bread slicer in 1912, but it was destroyed in a fire. Sabula is just one mile long and a quarter of a mile wide, with a mere 576 residents. The scariest and most heartbreaking of the stories associated with the bridge involves a woman and her three children. Indiana is bordered by the states of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Illinois. He hosted one of the longest-running television shows, The Tonight Show. While most people tend to think of corn as Iowa's most famous crop, a lesser-known interesting fact about Iowa is its history of apple agriculture. First Bread, the Slicing Machine, was Invented here, Bread is one of the worlds oldest prepared foods. Built in 1846, the Mason House Inn is a historic site in southeast Iowa known as a prime "Ghost Hunting" site. [19], 24. The Iowa Tribe, also known as the Ioway, was part of the Sioux people that once inhabited the Midwest. With so much farmland covering the state, driving through Iowa showcases miles upon miles of rolling grass hills and tall cornfields. Some settlers came to work in lead mines. Iowa was home to the Otoe, Dakota Sioux, Ioway, Illini and Missouri tribes before the arrival of the first European settlers. The Iowa State Fair takes place for 11 days every August at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. 31st president of USA was born and brought up in Iowa, Herbert Clark Hoover was president of the united states from 1929 to 1933 and was born in Iowa. Among 30 developed countries, the U.S. is ranked 25th in math and 21st in sciences. Humans shed skin too. Malvern Manor was a hotel for traveling salesmen, but the arrival of the automobile killed railroad travel, and the place went broke. 3. Okay, it MAY be a secret or at least just not as well known as we would like it to be, since Iowa is one of the most underrated states in the country. Iowa now ranks fifth on national records for organic farming. Dutch food, music, and art are also part of the festivities. These matchsticks have been glued, warped, and shaped together. It means one who puts to sleep.. They are recreational centers since they are ice skating spots in winter and fishing and boat-riding venues in summer. As of Sept. 1, 2018, Iowa's . Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, South Dakota, and Minnesota all share borders with Iowa. Originally erected as a form of political protest, artist Jim Glasgow's wooden nickel project has become a record-breaking roadside icon. If and when she appears she drops a rose at your feet, there is a belief you will perish the very next day. Best known for the Nancy Drew series, author Mildred Wirt Benson was an Iowa native. The cliff above Stony Hollow Road is where Lucinda allegedly jumped to her death. Lights are seen in the building at night and some people claim the ghost of a man who drowned in the nearby river has also been spotted roaming the grounds. His film career ended up spanning several decades, and he became both an icon and controversial figure in American pop culture. Its not edible but is a perfect strawberry marketing strategy.[17]. Visitors tour the 500-acre outdoor museum to see costumed historians performing various farming duties. The first people came to what's now Iowa at least 12,000 years ago. The Nobel Peace Prize was won by John Mott of Iowa in 1946 for his work with the international YMCA. A council of Dakota leaders decided to follow their example, declaring war on their white neighbors in an attempt to drive them away and regain their ancestral homelands. DES MOINES, Iowa . To this day no one knows who committed the horrific crime. Yet another nickname, although infrequent, is Land of the Rolling Prairie, as it lies mostly within the Great Plains. There are more golf courses per capita in Iowa than in any other state. Five towns in Iowa are connected by a bridge that spans 25 miles. One of the authors of the Nancy Drew series was born in Iowa: Mildred Wirt Benson. Although most well-known for corn, Iowa is also a major producer of soybeans and oats. Wild roses are native to Iowa and can be found growing in the many meadows and prairies throughout the state. Its the biggest grotto in the world made of petrifications, shells, and minerals. They were the predecessors of the current Indycar. There are also cold spots felt near the site of his death. See all Facts . The Unites States first transcontinental airmail route landed in Iowa City in 1920. Sadly, she threw the kids onto the tracks one at a time and they were killed by the train. There are several natural lakes in Iowa. 16) Left-handed people die 3 years earlier than right-handed people. Iowa is known for having some of the most productive and richest soil in the world, with 11,000 different soil types. Love Iowa? trip to this haunted restaurant in Cascade. Youre about to find out with these fascinating and fun facts about Iowa state, USA! People have reported apparitions, photo anomalies and other strange phenomena here. A bigger problem may be descending below the earths surface into a mile-long rock hole thats so small in places that youll have to duck to get through. 7. 21 Fun Iowa Facts. John went on to start a company which became known as John Deere. [2], 19. Astronaut footprints on the moon can last . In an orchard in 1880, a new variety of apples was discovered that would become known as the Red Delicious. The state has always held the first caucus in presidential elections since 1972, up until the most recent one in 2020. The basement is home to additional unknown entities. Head swim coach Dave Armbruster came up with the butterfly stroke technique in 1935. Another official was sent to resurvey, but his line was a bit north of the original line, to the tune of 2,600 acres. Other legends state that anyone who kisses or touches the angel will die immediately. Terms of Service apply. Iowa is the only state bordered by two navigable rivers; the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River to the east. That's why we started Creepy Catalog in 2015 as a place for creepy content and creepy people to congregate.. Every Friday, we send out an email with the scariest horror movies and TV shows streaming that weekend along with creepy news, updates from the horror movie pipeline, and links to the best scary content on the . While its not uncommon to find woolly mammoth fossils in Iowathe prehistoric pachyderms used to call the area homeit is unusual to find such a complete set. [13], 12. For the next hundred years, the land was fought over by the French and the Spanish, with the region being called French Louisiana or Spanish Louisiana. Known for its golden domes and Renaissance Revival architecture, the Iowa State Capitol is one of a kind. Seed Savers also hosts the world's largest seed exchange, a marketplace network of farmers, home gardeners, and seed collectors. 23. Its the oldest water tower in Iowa and one of the top ten oldest water towers in the united states. Also, in 2010, Forbes named Davenport/Bettendorf the most affordable metropolitan area in the nation. Iowa covers 55,857 mi (144,669 km), making it the 26. For more interesting articles about United States, read: For some great articles about facts, check out: L_Rey Find museums in Spencer, IA, Cherokee Mental Health Institute Cemetery, Boone County Historical Society - Masonic Temple, Elk Grove Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery, Le Sueur County Historical Society Museum. According to local lore, three witches were violently executed and were buried here, but not before threatening to curse anyone who desecrated their graves. He later moved to Los Angeles and won his title role as Frodo Baggins in "Lord of the Rings," launching his now-famous career. The governors of each state threatened each other with combat, with militias and volunteers called to gather at the border. Within the cemetery stands a bronze statue of an angel. Feet, there were 73.5 million in June 2018 first bread slicing machine, was invented Iowa. 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