2024 Linn County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

American Gothic Barn

This barn hidden by trees with no indication of its existence is a roadside attraction on Route 30 in Mount Vernon, IA. Parodied after Grant Wood’s famous “American Gothic,” the barn is completely painted in a copied image of the Wood painting. The barn depicts a dreary farmer beside his insipid daughter, often mistaken for his wife. The backdrop of the painting is the farmer’s home in the American Gothic style of architecture. The entire exterior front wall of the barn features this parodied painting. The other three walls of the barn feature full-color images of bison roaming the prairie and Iowa’s countryside. The painted barn is private property but was painted by commissioned artist Mark Benesh. Located on the south side of the highway, the American Gothic Barn, alluded to in so many works of literature, is a great place to stop and snap a few pictures. One of many fun tourist attractions to see while driving through the state, you’ll enjoy seeing the barn in person. Address: 1278 US-30, Mt Vernon, IA 52314, United States