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American Gothic House, Eldon, IA

Photo: Original uploader was Jehjoyce at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingQuirky FunHistory Buff

American Gothic House

300 American Gothic St · Eldon, IA

Why you should go…

This small white Carpenter Gothic house, built in 1881 and 1882, is the one Grant Wood sketched in 1930 as the backdrop for his painting American Gothic. The visitor center next door has an exhibit gallery and a media room, and it lends period costumes so you can pose for your own version in front of the house. The interior opens only for prearranged group tours of the ground floor. The State Historical Society of Iowa owns the house.

  • #grant wood
  • #american gothic
  • #photo op
  • #historic house
  • #roadside attraction

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to American Gothic House, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Greater Burlington

    Free

    A Mississippi River city in southeast Iowa known for bluff top parks, historic Snake Alley and river views.

    58 mi awayMore like this