Iowa grows great leaders, writers, actors

Grant Wood stands in front of his painting “Arbor Day” (1932) in his Cedar Rapids studio at 5 Turner Alley.

By Misti Huedepohl
Iowa.com

Iowa is famous for more than its endless lush cornfields. Iowa is the birthplace of many of the nation’s great contributors to art, culture and sports.

Actor and Hollywood legend, John Wayne was born in Winterset. Visitors can see his family home, restored to 1907, the year the Duke was born.  Plenty of photos are on display and other Hollywood memorabilia depicting John Wayne’s film career.

Grant Wood, the artist best known for his painting American Gothic, was born in Anamosa. The town celebrates Wood’s legacy with a festival every June. In nearby Cedar Rapids, is Wood’s personal studio “5 Tuner Alley,” where American Gothic was created, also open to visitors.

West Branch is the birthplace of U.S. President Herbert Hoover. The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum honors his life and documents his time as president. Visitors can tour his childhood home, a blacksmith shop and the burial site or President and Mrs. Hoover.

Other claims to fame include NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, Bix Beiderbecke, jazz musician, born in Davenport; television entertainer Johnny Carson, born in Corning; Ann Landers, columnist, born in Sioux City; bandleader Glenn Miller, born in Clarinda; and William Buffalo Bill Cody, born in Scott County. Use our iGuide to visit these museums and events.

Learn more:

• Expanded list of famous Iowans
• Movies made in Iowa

Your turn: Have you met any famous Iowans? Share your experience on this page.