The Barn Quilts of Grundy County consists of more than 55 quilt blocks on dotting the countryside on area barns. More than 30 counties in Iowa have adapted the project, which originated in Grundy County. Photo courtesy Grundy County Development Alliance.

Quilts, ‘good life’ knit Grundy County together

By B.J. Smith

Let’s say you’re interested in quilts, or barns, or maybe even both. You should definitely visit Grundy County. Visit, too, if you’re into history, small-town shopping and 99-cent movies.

In addition to having some of the best black dirt there is (more on that in a moment), this is home to Iowa’s Original Barn Quilt Project. More than 55 Grundy County barns, corncribs and other farm buildings sport colorful quilt blocks. The project was launched in 2003 by barn owners, quilters and other volunteers to entice tourists and other travelers to venture off of U.S. Highway 20 to tour the small communities and visit the numerous specialty shops around the county. It works so well, more than 30 other Iowa counties have similar projects.

In the southernmost part of a county known for rich, fertile, black soil and great crops, Conrad staked its claim as “Black Dirt Capital of the World.” It’s also within commuting distance of Des Moines, Ames, Cedar Falls and Waterloo.

A bit farther north is Grundy Center. It’s the county seat and, yes, it’s pretty much in the center of the county, where “the good life” of the town’s slogan revolves around high-quality schools, simplicity, friendliness and community pride. The Grundy County Courthouse here is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center Theatre in Grundy Center has two screens and 99-cent movies.

The many historical museums to visit in Grundy County include the Heritage Museum, the Ostfriesen Genealogical Resource/Research Center, the Neesen House/Walters Collection, the Wells Hotel, Conrad Heritage Hall, the Herbert Quick Schoolhouse and Mutch’s Historical Museum.

Grundy County’s largest employers are Peterson Contractors, Inc., Grundy County Memorial Hospital, Richelieu Foods, R.S. Bacon Veneer, and Ritchie Industries.

Sources: Melanie Kirkpatrick, Executive Director; Kelly Riskedahl, Tourism Coordinator, Grundy County Development Alliance.