If you ask outsiders about Iowa, they might think that the Hawkeye State is a humdrum “flyover state” – but residents know better! Iowa has a rich history full of records, firsts, inventions, notable citizens, and unique sites. You could live in this state for decades and only scratch the surface. These fourteen quirky facts about Iowa peel back the layers of this unique state and reveal some of its most unique locations and cultural quirks. So come along for the ride, and you might just discover your next vacation destination or day trip!
- Iowa Has More Pigs Than People
Mark Peters/Wikipedia Iowa is the leading state for pork production in the United States, and back in 2018 there were 73 million pigs in the state - more than 20 times the human population!
- Iowa Is Home To The World’s Largest Bullhead
Jason Clements/Google Local Iowa has a lot of “World’s Largest” including the world’s largest concrete gnome, the world’s largest popcorn ball - and this giant fish statue in Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake, IA 50432, USA
- The World’s Largest Recreational Bike Race Happens In Iowa
RAGBRAI This massive cyclist event is an annual non-competitive festival that rolls through many of Iowa’s most famous towns, including Winterset. It can draw 20,000 riders!
- The Red Delicious Was First Farmed In Iowa
fir0002flagstaffotos/Wikipedia The famous apple first originated in Peru - not in the Andes, but in the tiny town of Peru, Iowa. Located in Madison County, this cultivation is now one of the most common apple varieties.
- One Iowa City Is In Three States
WeaponizingArchitecture/Wikipedia Sioux City is mostly in Iowa, but the southern part of the state pokes into Nebraska, while a section to the north finds you in South Dakota. Sioux City, IA, USA
- Iowa Is Home To A Clockwork Jail
Matt Johnston/Google Local The Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs is the only rotary jail that can still be visited - it used a unique mechanism that left only one door accessible at a time, to prevent escapes. Squirrel Cage Jail, 226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
- Iowa Has An Island City
Farragutful/Wikipedia Sabula is a popular spot in the summer, and this island resort can be reached from the mainland by various bridges. Its floating cottages are famous state-wide! Sabula, IA 52070, USA
- The Largest Ethnic Heritage Museum In The US Is In Iowa
Hannah Clarkin/Google Local Vesterheim, a three-floor museum in Decorah, pays tribute to the region’s Norwegian immigrant population and includes a collection of historic buildings. Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School, 520 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
- Iowa Has Two Massive Golden Meditation Domes
Mike Scanlon/Google Local Built in the late 1970s in Fairfield, Iowa, these massive domes were constructed as part of Maharishi International University for the practice of transcendental meditation. Maharishi Vedic City, IA 52556, USA
- You Can Thank Iowa For Sliced Bread
Fran Hogan/Wikipedia Sliced bread has only been around for less than a century, and the first bread-slicing machine was created by Otto Frederick Rohwedder right here in Iowa!
- The World’s Steepest And Shortest Railway Is In Iowa
Bret Sikkink/Google Local The Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque is a few-minutes’ ride up an incline that provides some of the best river views in Dubuque. Fenelon Place Elevator, 491 W 4th St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
- Iowa City Is A UNESCO City of Literature
Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature/Google Local Iowa City’s rich literary history led it to be given this honor by the United Nations organization, and the University of Iowa’s many programs continue that legacy today. Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Has A Little Luxembourg
Gehlen House Inn and Barn/Facebook St. Donatus, a tiny town of a few hundred people, was settled by immigrants from Luxembourg and currently has an inn, a historic church and cemetery, and maybe the only Luxembourgian restaurant in the United States. Saint Donatus, St Donatus, IA, USA
- Iowa’s Largest Truck Stop Is Also The World’s Largest - And A Famous Attraction
Mr. Berner/Google Local The Iowa 80 Truck Stop is a massive facility, featuring a full-service restaurant, a dentist’s office, an all-purpose store, and even a museum dedicated to the history of trucking! Iowa 80 - The World’s Largest Truckstop, 755 W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA 52773, USA
How many of these quirky facts about Iowa did you know? Do you know any unusual facts about the Hawkeye State’s history or culture that we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments section. You can learn more about the two biggest attractions on this list, Vesterheim and the Iowa 80 Truck Stop, with a visit to their official websites. For another unusual chapter in Iowa’s history, check out the strange history of Colfax.
Mark Peters/Wikipedia
Iowa is the leading state for pork production in the United States, and back in 2018 there were 73 million pigs in the state - more than 20 times the human population!
Jason Clements/Google Local
Iowa has a lot of “World’s Largest” including the world’s largest concrete gnome, the world’s largest popcorn ball - and this giant fish statue in Crystal Lake.
Crystal Lake, IA 50432, USA
RAGBRAI
This massive cyclist event is an annual non-competitive festival that rolls through many of Iowa’s most famous towns, including Winterset. It can draw 20,000 riders!
fir0002flagstaffotos/Wikipedia
The famous apple first originated in Peru - not in the Andes, but in the tiny town of Peru, Iowa. Located in Madison County, this cultivation is now one of the most common apple varieties.
WeaponizingArchitecture/Wikipedia
Sioux City is mostly in Iowa, but the southern part of the state pokes into Nebraska, while a section to the north finds you in South Dakota.
Sioux City, IA, USA
Matt Johnston/Google Local
The Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs is the only rotary jail that can still be visited - it used a unique mechanism that left only one door accessible at a time, to prevent escapes.
Squirrel Cage Jail, 226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
Farragutful/Wikipedia
Sabula is a popular spot in the summer, and this island resort can be reached from the mainland by various bridges. Its floating cottages are famous state-wide!
Sabula, IA 52070, USA
Hannah Clarkin/Google Local
Vesterheim, a three-floor museum in Decorah, pays tribute to the region’s Norwegian immigrant population and includes a collection of historic buildings.
Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School, 520 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
Mike Scanlon/Google Local
Built in the late 1970s in Fairfield, Iowa, these massive domes were constructed as part of Maharishi International University for the practice of transcendental meditation.
Maharishi Vedic City, IA 52556, USA
Fran Hogan/Wikipedia
Sliced bread has only been around for less than a century, and the first bread-slicing machine was created by Otto Frederick Rohwedder right here in Iowa!
Bret Sikkink/Google Local
The Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque is a few-minutes’ ride up an incline that provides some of the best river views in Dubuque.
Fenelon Place Elevator, 491 W 4th St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature/Google Local
Iowa City’s rich literary history led it to be given this honor by the United Nations organization, and the University of Iowa’s many programs continue that legacy today.
Iowa City, IA, USA
Gehlen House Inn and Barn/Facebook
St. Donatus, a tiny town of a few hundred people, was settled by immigrants from Luxembourg and currently has an inn, a historic church and cemetery, and maybe the only Luxembourgian restaurant in the United States.
Saint Donatus, St Donatus, IA, USA
Mr. Berner/Google Local
The Iowa 80 Truck Stop is a massive facility, featuring a full-service restaurant, a dentist’s office, an all-purpose store, and even a museum dedicated to the history of trucking!
Iowa 80 - The World’s Largest Truckstop, 755 W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA 52773, USA
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