October 25, 2014. Amana Colonies, Iowa.

 

 

October 25, 2014.  Amana Colonies, Iowa.  The Amana Colonies in Iowa were established in 1855.  The Colonies were established by a religious order from Germany which fled to America about a decade earlier and settled in New York.  Originally, the order farmed about 5000 acres in New York.  They needed more land and moved to a 26,000 acre tract in Iowa.  There were six colonies initially.  When the railroad came to this area, a seventh colony was established near the tracks. 

The Amana Colonies are one of the oldest communal communities in the United States.  Houses, food, medical care, schools and other necessaries were provided to residents of the colonies.  That condition continued until 1932 when, due to the Great Depression, the commune was dissolved and a profit sharing corporation was created to manage the farmland, the mills and the larger enterprises. The Amana Church was maintained.

Today, hundreds of thousands of visitors come each year.  This RV park was carved out of a corn field.  I took a photo which shows the corn growing at the end of our row of campsites. 

We had "linner" about 3:00 PM today at one of three comfort food restaurants here.  The food is served family style.  You order an entree and the side dishes are brought in large bowls.  One of the sides was sauerkraut salad.  Annie asked for the recipe and the server brought it to her.  The recipe called for the addition of a cup of sugar.  I have never eaten sweet sauerkraut.  It was actually pretty good. 

We plan to visit some of the other colonies tomorrow.  We are about 280 miles from home.  Chances are we will head south sometime Monday.  See you soon.