The Amana colonies, located just 15 miles from the Cedar Rapids Airport and 25 miles to the southwest of the hotel, were formed as a communal society in 1855. They originally left Germany in 1843-1844 seeking religious freedom and settled in the Buffalo, New York area. When they ran out of room in that area they migrated westward to Iowa.
Amana means "true to life" and was taken from the Song of Solomon 4:8. Originally, six villages were established, a mile or two apart: Amana: East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana, and Middle Amana. The village of Homestead was added in 1861, giving the Colony access to the railroad.
The Amanas were founded as a true communal society, with the residents receiving a home, medical care, meals, all household necessities, and schooling for their children. Property and resources were shared. Men and women were assigned jobs by their village council of brethren. No one received a wage. No one needed one.
The communal way of life was set aside in 1932, amidst the Great Depression. In it's place the Amana Society, Inc. was established, which is a profit-sharing corporation to manage the farmland, the mills, and the larger enterprises.
While things have changed a lot over time and the Colonies are not what they once were...Amana furniture was once quite coveted, and the restaurants were almost legendary...it's still an interesting place to visit. The Amana Colonies were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
amana colonies