Like most of early America, the founding of the Amana Colonies were based on religious frustration and vision for a religiously homogenous town. It was founded by German immigrants and many of them are still proud of their German heritage, although their variation of spoken German is very different from modern continental German.
In the mid-20th century, the group of colonies were designated as a national historic site of the US and tourism has been a major part of their business. Visitors passing through Iowa would stop by to admire the preservation of their heritage and understand more about the effects of differences in religious views.
It did feel like an old German town in the sense that there are specialist stores in just one area of expertise and little restaurants and Pensions around the centre of town for tourists to spend their money in. The gas station, you might be pleased to hear, is reasonably priced blessed with a delicious range of ready-made breakfast options.
Take a break, eat a breakfast bowl.
