This rail was an important link to the "outside world" for the Amana Colonies. Amana-made goods were taken by this rail to be sold elsewhere. It was also this rail line that brought non-community members here, and along with them dissenting ideas. South Amana was always viewed by other villages as being progressive and more "worldly". In fact, part of this was caused by the Christian Science religious uproar. There are too many details to go into here, but the ideas that caused this upheaval were said to have been brought by rail.
There was a depot built in 1860 north of this line. It was almost directly north of the communal gardens and brickyard. At this site, there was a warehouse, mail room, and staging area for passengers. In the later years, Amana people could get to Cedar Rapids on this line.
This area is important for another reason. Prior to the 1850s, a trading post NW of where the depot was had been the hub of Iowa County. Built in 1839, the trading post had been built for dealings with displaced Mesquakie Indians. Before Iowa was a state, the government broke ground here for the Mesquakies in hopes that they would take up European farming style. These peoples were again displaced in about 1843 and the trading post became the Iowa County polling site and a store. It's history after about 1850 is unknown. To find out more click here!
There recently was an archeological dig in this vicinity that yielded some interesting things. Pieces of plate, glass, stoneware, iron, and other things were found here. It is my hope that investigation at this site will continue and that I can remain a part of it!