Amana, Iowa

 

The Amana Colonies are celebrating their

300th anniversary.

 

 

Seven villages form the settlement.

 

The group of German Immigrants who founded the colonies

was known as the "Community of True Inspiration."

They moved to Iowa in 1855.

 

 

Six villages were established a mile or two apart in

a river valley of about 26,000 acres.

 

The seventh village of Homestead was

built in 1861 for access to the railroad. 

 

 

The group worked as a communal society. This is

one of 50 communal kitchens that fed 1,500 people

three times a day.

 

 

Each building was built of brick or stone. Amana Colonies

was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Thousands of

visitors annually tour various specialty shops

and enjoy the German food restaurants and bakeries.

 

 

Farming and wood cutting were necessary for survival.

 

Many industries supported the colonies such as this woolen mill.





 

 

West and High Amana are the main farming areas.

 

 

Lake Lily is center piece of the Amana Village.

 



 

One of many private restored homes.

 





 

In 1932, they abandoned the communal way of life

and encouraged private industry.  One of the industries

was Amana refrigeration which is now operated by

Whirlpool.  This is the chimney stack from Amana.