Anamosa

Anamosa is a city in the Grant Wood Country region of Eastern Iowa. An epicenter of Grant Wood history, the city is famous for its connection to the famed artist. However, it is also has many other distinctions which can attract tourists of all types.

Originally incorporated as "Lexington," legend has it that a traveling Native American family's daughter captured the town's heart. When the family left, the town was renamed "Anamosa" after her.

Grant Wood was born in the area in 1891. His legacy of as a celebrated American artist helped give the community a strong identity and immortalized the area in his landscape paintings. He is buried within the city limits.

Aside from Wood, Anamosa also is known for being the home of the Anamosa State Penitentiary, an architecturally significant structure built from local limestone, also known as the "White Palace of the West." It also has a connection with the motorcycle community as Anamosa is home of J&P Cycles and the National Motorcycle Museum.

• The National Motorcycle Museum. (updated Sep 2020)