Supporters share historic moment in Eldon

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

August 08, 2006 11:37 pm

— ELDON — Light rain dampened the ground but not the spirits of more than 50 people who attended a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for the American Gothic Visitors Education Center.
Brenda Kremer smiled as she recalled the early days of raising money to build the center.
“In the beginning, everything we did was outside and it rained every time,” she said.
Both Kremer and Linda Durflinger are on the American Gothic committee — secretary and chairman, respectively. They dressed as the “American Gothic” couple painted by Iowa artist Grant Wood.
They are only two of the people Mayor Roger Gosnell recognized during his speech. He also mentioned Donna Jeffrey and Priscilla Coffman.
The Courier dubbed these women “the Fab Four” earlier this year because of their stalwart and relentless work on the project. They and other supporters of the visitors center believe the center will jump-start the Eldon economy, which sagged after the Rock Island Railroad left.
Once in Eldon, tourists could also visit the old railroad depot and museum, which was started in recent years by retired railroad employees; the McHaffey Opera House, whose supporters continue to renovate the structure; and other historical sites and trails in the area.
Kremer happily tells anyone that 20 percent of Wapello County’s historic sites are in Eldon.
As Gosnell spoke, a carload of visitors from Colfax, Iowa, stopped to see the Gothic House and to watch some of the ceremony.
After admitting he would probably forget some names, Gosnell also mentioned Carrie Teninty, Rick and Virginia Hindsley, Helen and Don Glasson, the Wapello County Board of Supervisors, Kurt Baker, Mary Gaskill, Kent Rice, Larry Jackson, Jerome Thomas, the Fairfield Ledger and the Courier.
“I also thank the Eldon City Council for all the difficult decisions along the way,” the mayor said. “And, I thank the wonderful people of Eldon.”
Gosnell invited State Sen. Dave Miller to share his comments. Miller said he had tried to get the American Gothic House on Iowa’s state quarter.
“I grew up in Batavia and I think Eldon is deserving of [the center]. Instead of running to Des Moines to ask for money, they had bake sales to raise money,” Miller said. “They have a can-do attitude, which exemplifies small towns. I applaud all you’ve done.”
Wapello County Supervisor Steve Siegel told the gathering the “Eldon folks have done a fabulous job.”
“Two years ago, you had more than $80,000 to raise. You’re amazing. You raised the bulk of the money and I don’t think Des Moines thought we could,” Siegel said. “This project has the opportunity to put Eldon back on the map.”
Gosnell said the Gothic House was built 125 years ago and is the second most-recognized house in the world because of Wood’s painting.
In 1930, Wood visited a friend in Eldon. As they walked along Eldon’s southern edge, Wood spotted the small house perched atop the hill. Its unusual gothic windows inspired him.
Wood used the house as a backdrop for his painting, “American Gothic.” Wood convinced his family dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby, to pose as a farmer with a pitchfork in hand. Next to the “farmer,” Wood posed his sister, Nan Wood Graham, as the farmer’s wife.
Wood entered his painting in the Art Institute of Chicago competition and won a bronze medal and $300 (about $3,200 today). The institute put the painting on display, which brought nearly instant fame to the painting and the artist.
“American Gothic” has numerous parodies, which feature everyone from cartoon characters to politicians as the Gothic couple. The image is believed to be the most recognized one worldwide.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

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