Elk Horn Iowa holds a treasure chest of Danish history and the French Scent hounds took in some of it. We had to exit the highway to see this windmill that is advertised along the highway for miles. Little did we know there is even more to see there! Because we had a schedule, we were only able to stop at one place. Next time we are in the area we plan to see more of what this town has to offer.
Elk Horn and Kimballton are home to the largest rural Danish settlement in the USA. These two Danish towns have around a thousand people with Danish heritage, many dating back to the settlers in the early 1900’s.
We found this adorable Danish tiny church. It is really just the right size for me and Olivia. This little chapel was built in 1951 by real Danish people and is now located at the Elk Horn Welcome Center. We like how our reflections show up in the glass that covers the entry.
Are your paws are tired from exploring all the Danish stuff? Feel free to have a seat on the Danish flag bench. Isn’t it a cool idea for painting a bench?
We found this house with a grass roof near the windmill. It isn’t exactly Danish, but it is Scandinavian. It’s name is, VikingHjem, which means a Viking house. It sure doesn’t look very fancy to us, and the grass roof seems kind of silly. I wonder if our lawn boy would mow our roof if it was grass? This house is actually a home for middle to upper class Vikings with servants. We think it would barely be large enough for a dog house! Times change things I guess.
Finally, we have the jewel of Elk Horn Iowa, the windmill. Isn’t it beautiful? This windmill was actually built in 1848. For the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations, the Danes shipped it to Elk Horn. At the time it was falling apart and it took a long time to get it put back together in working order. This is the last windmill ever shipped to the US. The Danish people now have a law against shipping windmills out of Denmark. It is now the only real, working Danish windmill in the USA.
This sign has some interesting information on windmill history in the US. If you are passing by the Elk Horn exit on a road trip one day, you should stop and have a look at this windmill and take in some Danish history.
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oooh you really saw that place with your own eyes… how fantabulous!!! we would like to life in a windmill… it would fit to us, we are very windy said our granny …
Good thing the windmill has windows in case you boys come to stay inside 😉
WOW! What a great fieldtrip! We love windmills! and history.
It was a fun place to visit on the way to our destination.
The windmill is just beautiful and the Danish church is so cute! What a fun outing for you girls!
It just kind of popped up. Being 6 miles off the highway, we don’t usually stop, but Mom was taking is slow, so we did.
How interesting! Mom and I didn’t know any of this history. Wow! Mom said she really likes the bench — what an awesome way to show the flag! Looks like you girls had a good time on your outing! Mom is impressed with your mom being up and at ’em. Keep up the good work and keeping an eye on your mom! your friend Lilly
It is hard to keep mom down. She feels fine but still has to heal anyway. The side trip was part of our relaxed drive to our trial destination. We like the bench too. It was a fun place to see.
That little church is so cute, perfect size for you girls. Thanks for the history lesson. Ant reason as to why windmills are no longer shipped out of Denmark?
They don’t want their history around the world, they feel they need to keep it for themselves in their country. Denmark is rather possessive. You can’t even buy property there unless you are a citizen.
Oh how fun. I would have loved to come along. You all get to go to the coolest places. Your mom rocks.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. Scritches all around and my best to your mom. ♥
We do get to see a lot of things. Sometimes we have no idea why Mom gets so excited about these things but we all have fun and that is the main thing.
I loved going on this tour with you.
We missed the Little Mermaid replica as it was in a different part of town. We will catch that on another trip.
So you went to Danmark ! Windmills I have enough around me and especially in the Netherlands where my son lives. It’s funny that immigrants choose to built a similar village as what they had back home in the country where they came from. I noticed that in Wisconsin where my aunt lived in Madison 80 % of the population was from German origin ! And some inscriptions on old buildings like the University were in German !
Yes, the Midwest has a huge Scandinavian and German heritage. There are lots of German things and Swedish things around to find. It is fun.
What a wonderful little place, but I’m not sure about the church. It’s so very tiny! XOXO Sparkle
Just right for a couple of hounds 🙂
What a fun stop!! We always love the fun sights you gals find on your road trips!!
xoxo,
Rosy and the Gang
This one was a surprise, and it turned out to be a neat find 🙂
Such a super cool place to hang out and that windmill is amazing and really pretty!
The windmill was so nice. We had no idea it would be like that.
What an exciting place to visit! Who knew there were so many Danish in Iowa! Thanks for sharing with us. It makes our Mom want take a road trip.
It’s amazing how most places have an interesting history or something fascinating about them, if you have time to find it.
It’s fun do do some easy learning while we travel.
What a cool place – love the windmill!!
It is very pretty.