IOWA ABC BOOK

By: Nick Starnes

A is for Adventure Land1.Adventure Land is Iowa’s largest amusement park.2. Adventure Land has over 100 rides, shows, and attractions.

B is for Black Hawk

1. When Chief Black Hawk was very young he became a brave.2. Black Hawk was a war chief who led his Sauk tribe to war.3. Black Hawk went to prison for fighting for his land in Iowa. He refused to give in without a fight.

C is for Corn1. Iowa is the #1 corn producer in the U.S.

2. Corn is a major component in many foods like cereals, peanut butter, snack foods, and soft drinks.

3. U.S. researchers have found many uses for corn like in vitamins and amino acids.

D IS FOR DEER

1. Deer have small tails and big antlers. They have a light brown fur.

2. Deer are hunted in fall and spring.

E is for Eastern Goldfinch

1.The Eastern Goldfinch is Iowa’s state bird.2.Seeds from dandelions, sunflowers, ragweed, and evening primrose are the main source of food for the Eastern Goldfinch.3. They lay blue-white eggs.

F is for Farming

1. 92% percent of Iowa’s

land is devoted to agriculture.

2. Iowa leads the nation in the production of corn, soybeans, and pork.

G is for Gypsum

1. Gypsum is a mineral that occurs naturally, derives its name from a Greek word that means calcified mineral.

2. Gypsum comes in many colors like yellow, red, and even brown.

H is for Herbert Hoover

1. Herbert Hoover was the thirty first president of the United States.2. He was married to

Lou Hoover.3. Charles Curtis was

Hoovers Vice President. He was a Kaw Indian.

1. Iowa State was and is a leader in agriculture, engineering, extension, home economics, and created the nation’s first state veterinary medicine school in 1879.

2. Iowa state’s football team was started in 1892.

J is for Juniper Trees

1. The juniper tree is a type of cedar that is widely used for many purposes.

2. Unlike many types of cedar, the juniper is an evergreen.

3. The juniper produces many small blue berries.

K is for Keokuk

1. Keokuk became a rank brave when he was very young because he killed a rival Sioux warrior.

2. Keokuk was chief of the Sauk Tribe

L is for Loess Hills1. The Loess Hills have

abundant oak-hickory hardwood forests and some of the last remaining prairie grass in the region.

2. The Hills are no more than 200 feet above the Missouri River bottom.

M is for Mound Builders

1. Mound Builders built mounds in the shape of animals.

2. They buried the dead inside of the mounds.

N is for Norwegian Immigrants

1. The first Norwegian Immigrants settled in Northeast Iowa, around the town of Decorah.

2. The Norwegians built a museum in Decorah called the Vesterheim, which means Western Home.

O is for Old Order Amish1. The Old Order Amish are

very old fashioned people. They do not believe in automobiles.

2. They drive buggies. A buggy is a small carriage pulled by a mule or horse.

P is for Zebulon (Pike)1. Zebulon Pike was an

American explorer who wanted to learn more about the Mississippi River.

2. He suggested many places for forts and trading posts while on an expedition.

Q is for Quaker Oats Co.1. Quaker Oats Co. is one

of the largest oats buyers in the world. Quaker Oats has made many of your cereal products of today.

2. It was started in the 1870s

R is for RAGBRAI (Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride

Across Iowa)

1. RAGRAI is an annual event where thousands of people ride bikes across Iowa. It was started in 1972.

2. It starts along the Missouri River and ends along the Mississippi.

S is for Steamboats 1. Steamboats offered a new way to travel.2. Steamboats were able to carry goods to Iowa.3. Steamboats were also very dangerous because they

could catch on fire, or hit a snag and sink. They also carry the disease cholera.

T is for Traders1. Many traders treated Native Americans unfairly. They would over charge them. When John Chambers, a territorial governor heard about this, he ordered an investigation. The traders had to give back some of the money they had overcharged for goods.

U is for Union Pacific Railroad

1. The Union Pacific Railroad covers over 2/3 of the U.S. It runs through 22 other states.

2. another way to say Union Pacific Railroad.3. The president is James R. Young. On December

31, 2008 UPRR covered 32,012 miles of the U.S.

V is for Vallisca Axe Murders1. The Vallisca Axe Murders happened on

June 12, 1912. Joseph Moore, his wife, his four kids, and two visitors were all murdered. Herman Moore was 11 (son), Catherine Moore was 9 (daughter), and Paul Moore was 6 (son). The visitors ages were 18 and 20 (both female).

2. Investigators think Sam Moyer, wife of Mr. Moore’s brother killed the family and their friends.

W is for John (Wayne)

Born-May 6, 1907 Winterset Iowa. Died- June 11, 1979 (age 72) in Los Angeles, California. He was an actor, director, and a producer. He was Oscar nominated three times and one once.

X IS FOR BASILICA

OF ST. FRANCIS (XAVIER)

1. Basilica of St. Francis Xavier is on of the 52 in the U.S.

2. It seats 1,200 people.3. The steeples are 212

ft. tall.

Y IS FOR YELLOW RIVER FIRE TOWER

1. The Yellow River Fire Tower’s elevation is 1,047 feet high

2. It was built in current in 1962.

3. It’s nor open to public because vandalism destroying the tower.

Z is for Zearing, Iowa1. Zearing is in the middle of Iowa.2. It was founded October 17,1881.3. It is located in Story County, Iowa

The EndBye Bye!