Arlen Twedt

The Central Iowa Norwegians, Volume 3 Arlen Twedt

Norwegian immigrants founded a settlement southwest of Cambridge, Iowa, in June 1855 and a second colony east of Story City in June 1856. Fifty years later, an estimated 12,000 Norwegians lived in central Iowa. This book describes how farming changed when modern agricultural machinery became available after the Civil War and how rural life changed when additional rail lines entered central Iowa in the early 1880s. The history also explores religion and church life, educating the next generation, amusement and culture, seeking political influence, and becoming a mother settlement. In 1905, the pioneers held 50th anniversary celebrations in Cambridge and Story City, and central Iowa Norwegians continued to reminisce and share their immigration stories for decades.