Cemeteries in Iowa (State)

Iowa, located in the American Midwest, became the 29th U.S. state in 1846.

Originally inhabited by Native American peoples including the Ioway, Meskwaki, and Sioux, the region came under U.S. control as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Following treaties and land cessions, European-American settlement began in earnest during the 1830s. Early settlers—primarily of German, Irish, English, and Scandinavian descent—were drawn by the region’s fertile prairie land, ideal for farming. Iowa quickly developed into a leading agricultural state, producing corn, soybeans, and livestock. Protestant denominations, particularly Methodist and Lutheran, shaped early religious life, along with Catholic communities. The state played a significant role in the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. Governed as a U.S. state divided into 99 counties, Iowa balances its rural roots with modern industry and education.

Cemeteries such as Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines preserve the pioneer, military, and immigrant heritage of the state’s communities.