American Gothic House
American Gothic House, Carpenter Gothic house in Eldon, US.
Description
The American Gothic House is a residential building in the small town of Eldon, Iowa, featuring pointed windows, ornamental carvings, and a steeply sloped roof. The upper pointed arch opening shapes the front and gives the facade its defining character.
History
A carpenter erected the building in 1882 and used wood instead of the stone walls common in Europe to reproduce Gothic forms. This building method spread across the rural Midwest and produced affordable versions of European church architecture.
Culture
The building became known after Grant Wood chose it for a painting created in 1930, now one of the most widely referenced works. Visitors can pose in front of the house with props to recreate their own version of the famous image.
Practical
A visitor center offers background information on construction methods and provides objects for photography. Most guests spend about half an hour on site and use the outdoor area for pictures.
Did you know?
The artist saw the building during a drive through Iowa and made only a sketch of the facade before completing the painting in his studio. The two figures in the image came from his imagination and never stood in front of the house.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Eldon).
Ottumwa City Hall
19.8 km
B'nai Jacob Synagogue
19.2 km
Mars Hill
12.3 km
St. Joseph Hospital Historic District
20.2 km
Wapello County Courthouse
19.8 km
Jefferson Street Viaduct
19.7 km
Jay Funeral Home
19.8 km
R. Bruce and May W. Louden House
22.6 km
Ottumwa Public Library
19.7 km
Vogel Place Historic District
20.5 km
McHaffey Opera House
871 m
First National Bank
19.8 km
Trinity Episcopal Church
19.7 km
Fifth Street Bluff Historic District
19.6 km
J.W. Garner Building
19.8 km
Court Hill Historic District
20.1 km
Eldon Public Library
1 km
Historic Railroad District
19.4 km
Benson Block
19.7 km
Foster/Bell House
19.6 km
Hofmann Building
19.9 km
North Fellows Historic District
19.4 km
Big 4 Fair Art Hall
1.4 km
Fred and Rosa Fulton Barn
6.7 km
Ottumwa Young Women's Christian Association
20.1 km
American Gothic House Center
60 m
Greater Second Street Historic District
19.6 km
William and Mary Jane Louden House
22.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes