Heartland View

Every small town has a place where locals join for coffee and conversation early in the morning. In Elk Horn, Iowa. that place is Jacquelyn's Danish Bake Shoppe and kaffe hus.

"All our pastries are made fresh daily and we serve hot breakfast and lunch," waitress Lauren Crocker said. "But people really come in for Saturday's Aebleskivers. We make one batch of batter in the morning and they are gone by nine."

Elk Horn is the largest rural Danish settlement in the United States. The architecture of homes, the Velkommen (welcome) signs, even the packaging of foods at the Food Town grocery store bore symbols of Denmark.

"For a little town, we got a lot of stuff here," museum volunteer John Jones said.

A lot is right for a town whose population is just under 700.

The Danish Windmill, which received Iowa's top tourism attraction in 1990, rests right on the edge of town. The windmill is authentic from Denmark and was built in 1848. It was later dismantled, shipped to Elk Horn in 1976 and rebuilt by community volunteers. Visitors can tour the mill and climb to the top.

For more historical exploration, tourists are encouraged to check out the Danish Immigrant Museum. The three floors are filled with family heirlooms brought from Denmark, tools early immigrants used, memorabilia from organizations and the Wall of Honor, which recognizes nearly 4,000 immigrants. The lower level houses changing displays from Danish artists.

A trail leading from the museum takes you past The Jens Dixen Cabin and The Morning Star Chapel. The church was built by 86-year-old Charles Johann Walensky and is only 6 foot by 8 foot with four small pews and an alter. The chapel can seat nine people, but has been the site of weddings and baptisms with 14.

After trekking the 0.6 mile Friends' Walk, you end at the Bedstemor's Hus. This Victorian cottage was built by a Danish immigrant bachelor in 1908. When the house was completed, he crossed the street to ask a strange young woman for her hand in marriage. She refused. Hurt by the rejection, he never moved in to the home, instead he opted for an apartment downtown. The home was later sold to an elderly woman, whose grandkids referred to it as Bdstemor, which is Danish for Grandmother. The cottage is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can stop by the Danish Inn for a not so traditional buffet of frikadeller (meat balls), medisterpolse (sausage) and rodkall (red cabbage). Ribs, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and salad are also included, just in case you need an American backup to all the Danish delights. If that doesn't suit your appetite, The Pub's tenderloin was named the best in Iowa.

To wash down all the grub, head to the Danish Countryside Vines and Wines winery located two and a half miles outside of Elk Horn. The renovated European-design barn that houses the winery is surrounded by rolling hills that resemble the Danish countryside. Visitors can tour the vineyard and winery and sample the 12 different wines produced solely by owners Allan and Carol Petersen. Guests have the option to purchase wine by the glass or bottle and are encouraged to enjoy it from the loft, balcony and patio.

After a full day of touring the tiny town, it's always nice to find somewhere to hang your hat. Hansen's Kro (place-to-stay) is run by Peggy and Roland Hansen out of their basement. Decked out in Danish décor with an inviting bed and homemade Danish breakfast, Peggy said she hasn't stopped getting business for 15 years.

"It's so much fun to meet these people, I just continue offering the service," Peggy said. "People from different states come for festivals or just to tour and before the AmericInn, there was no motel. People needed a place to stay, so I offered up my home."

"Our House" is a second bed and breakfast run by Calvin and Phyllis Hoegh.

"This town is just neat and it's all about our Danish heritage," Phyllis said. "I'm 100% Danish and it's a good tribute to our people. And a welcoming mat for those who want to see what Danish hospitality is all about."

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