Preserving

The Stone City Schoolhouse, built in 1898, replaced two smaller schools and became a central educational institution for the Stone City community. It served local students until 1947, when the area joined the Anamosa school system. In 1950, the building was purchased by village trustees, and local residents raised funds to convert it into the Stone City Community Center, ensuring its preservation as a historic landmark. For the next 75 years, the non-profit community organization cared for the schoolhouse and kept it as a gathering place for Stone City. Like many century-old buildings, however, ongoing maintenance became increasingly difficult, and in recent years the structure began to fall into disrepair. In September 2025, the non-profit trustees made the difficult decision to dissolve, entrusting this historic schoolhouse to the next generation through private ownership so that preservation efforts could continue.

Stone City itself is steeped in history. Once known for its thriving limestone quarries, the town also became the home of the Stone City Art Colony in the early 1900s, founded by Grant Wood. This creative movement attracted artists from across the country and became a defining chapter in the town’s cultural history. Wood, who is best known for his iconic American Gothic, was deeply influenced by his time in Stone City, and his legacy is an integral part of the area’s artistic and cultural identity. Today, the Stone City Schoolhouse stands as a testament to this rich history, connecting the community’s educational roots with its artistic legacy.