Eldon, Iowa is home to the iconic American Gothic. You know, a man with a pitchfork along with a woman. There are so many things that make this picture unique I don’t even know where to start. It started out as a stretch of the house. He then added his sister, Nan, and his dentist to the picture. They weren’t even there for the painting. Even more, they didn’t meet each other until 12 years after the painting was finished.
Iowan and artist Grant Wood was visiting Eldon from Cedar Rapids and was stuck by the design of the house. It was a unique house for that time period. In
Directions to the American Gothic House
American Gothic House is still there today with the visitor center next door. Eldon is right off Hwy 34 with lots of signs promoting the exit. Once off the exit, it’s about 7 minutes to the house. It could be a planned trip or you see the signs and make the decision to visit. Mine was a combination of a planned trip but only if I had enough time. There was another spot in Iowa that I wanted to see more and explore longer. I ended up stopping, and go glad I did.
There is PLENTY of signs directing you where to go, but warning there are a lot of turns. I honestly didn’t know what to think or expect when I got there. But I was blown away by how simple things are yet lots of knowledge. The house is owned by the State Historian Society of Iowa and is still at its original site. Something I didn’t know was that was someone’s actual HOUSE. The house was built for the Dibble Family and has 3 very unusual home features for a house built in the 1880s. The first is the gothic window with a pattern resembling a curtain. Next being a steep-pitched roof. Lastly, the board and batten siding.
As you drive through the town it is also so AMAZING. The first thing I did was get out and take a picture of the Welcome to Eldon mural.
Before You Go
The visitor center is closed on Monday and Tuesday, but the grounds are always open. The interior of the American Gothic House is open on the 2nd Saturday of the month from April to September from 11a-2pm.
Visitor Center
The visitor center is open from 10a-4p on Wednesday – Friday. Saturday is 1p-4pm. The admission fee is $5 for ages 13 and up. I didn’t know this until after my trip, but they have a costume checkout. There is a selfie station outside to get the perfect picture. I used it to get the perfect picture of the house. Inside the visitor center, there is an exhibition gallery that talks about the history of the house. The media room shows 2 videos – one 17-minute cartoon for kids and a 30-minute video for adults. Souvenir shop with American Gothic and Iowa-based things. I would recommend going in there, but I didn’t have enough time on my trip.
There is a replica daughter and dad outside the visitor center. In front of the house, there is a spot mark with the glass window to get the perfect spot. Right next to the visitor center and the house is the Chippewa Creek Disc Golf Course. I didn’t notice the course until I was leaving.
About American Gothic House
The house was built in 1881-1882 by Charles and Catherine Dibble. The house is often called Dibble House. Originally the house was 4 rooms – 2 upstairs and 2 downstairs. In the 1920s, the house was remodeled by adding a kitchen and bathroom. The last owner moved out in 2014 which I think is incredible. It would be an awesome experience to live in such a house. The house was visited by Grant Wood during his trip to Eldon for an art exhibit.
Later that year Grant Wood entered the finished painting to a contest at the Art Institute of Chicago. He earned a bronze medal. The painting was a success and everyone could relate to the painting.
Other Things in Eldon
Picnic areas are available both at the Center and at the Des Moines River Scenic Overlook a few blocks away. Other area attractions include: Sioc Cemetery, Eldon’s Carnegie Library, McHaffey Opera House, Eldon Depot Museum, Lockkeeper’s House, Iowaville Cemetery, Ace Graphics Printing and Corner Store, Ostrander Florist and Greenhouse, and Pioneer Ridge Nature Center. Places to eat include Chommy’s Bar and Grill or Ono Casa Americana Speakeasy and World-wide Cuisine.
