Thank you to the Danish Windmill for hosting my stay in Elk Horn, Iowa. As always, all content and opinions are my own. I have a thing for small towns that lean hard into their European heritage, like German-tinged New Ulm, Minnesota, and New Glarus, Wisconsin (a.k.a. America’s Little Switzerland). There’s something touching and very American about preserving bits and
News & Events
Elk Horn – One of the best towns in Iowa
I’m a small-town girl. I love everything about small towns and often think about all the fun times I had growing up in one. So when given the chance to explore the town of Elk Horn, Iowa, we literally couldn’t wait. After spending 2 days in this adorable town, we really do feel that it’s one of the best
Danish Windmill Annual Report 2018
After more than two years, we looked forward to the major restoration project being completed in time for Tivoli Fest. In early May, the reconstruction began with the successful installation of the new wind shaft and brake wheel. The dome was going to be re-shingled before the new sails were installed. Once the shingles on
Danish Windmill Receives Award at 2014 Conference
The Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa presented 24 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry last night in Council Bluffs during the 2014 Iowa Tourism Conference. The Danish Windmill received the Outstanding Tourism Attraction (Rural) of the Year Award at … read more about Danish Windmill Tourism Award
Danish Windmill Restoration Project Update
With national news showing the massive flooding along the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky, Mill Manager Lisa Riggs became concerned because that is where the Millwright and his warehouse are located and where the parts are being crafted for the 1848 Danish Windmill. She made a quick call to B.E. Hassett Millwrights, and was assured
The Windmill got the Shaft- The Wind Shaft that is! It Arrived!
Late Christmas Eve, a visitor from afar left a package at the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn. Instead of Santa, it was historic millwright Ben Hassett from Louisville, Kentucky who delivered the Windmill’s long-awaited new White Oak wind shaft! read more about The Windmill Got The Shaft – the Wind Shaft that is! It Arrived!
Julefest 2014 – Celebrate the Arrival of the Christmas Season
Getting into the holiday spirit is easy in the Danish Villages. Celebrated the weekend after Thanksgiving, Julefest offers visitors a way to kick start the Christmas season. For thirty six years, this magical festival has… read more about Julefest 2014
How Denmark Saved a Small Iowa Town
The town of Elk Horn, Iowa has always been proud of its Danish heritage but for most of its existence, the folks back in the motherland hardly knew it existed. The Local’s Justin Cremer – himself an Iowa native – visited Elk Horn in summer 2014 for this video report on what happened when a
Denmark on the Prairie- Back to Elk Horn
A Danish TV station aired a 1 hour documentary last fall and the Elk Horn Danes became very surprised at the attention they were given. Even the Mayor Stan Jens and local citizen Jordan Hansen were flown over to do a media blitz before the film was released in Copenhagen…. read more about Denmark on the
Denmark TV Documentary Highlighting the Danish Villages
Earlier this year, two Danish filmmakers Anders Birch and Jakob Vølver came to our Danish Village of Elk Horn, Iowa to find what all of Danishness was all about. After 150 hours of filming they painstaking put together… read more about Denmark TV Documentary about the Danish Villages
