Shelby: Danish Heritage, Homesteads and Prairie

A hand-built chapel, a Viking house dating to around 900, and restored prairie give Shelby a distinctive cultural and scenic character. Historic sites, agricultural heritage and outdoor activities offer concrete reasons to plan your stay around your own interests.

Danish Heritage and History Brought to Life

Morning Star Chapel is a hand-built chapel that reflects the faith and craftsmanship of Danish immigrants. VikingHjem adds to this insight with a reconstruction of a Viking house dating to around 900 AD. The house shows how early Scandinavian families lived and worked. Together, a religious building and a recreated domestic and working environment from an earlier era offer two different perspectives on Scandinavian heritage.

The main building of the Museum of Danish America has three exhibition levels. Next to the museum, Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park has 30 acres of restored prairie. The Danish Windmill also combines history with a structured visit: daily tours begin with a short documentary about the mill’s reconstruction, followed by a self-guided tour. This includes the lower three floors, a second-floor gallery and a fourth-floor observation deck. Since the schedule may change, it’s a good idea to check the current tour times before visiting.

You can also experience Danish baking traditions at Kringle Man Bakery. It makes traditional Danish baked goods, including freshly prepared kringle, bread and sweet treats.

Agriculture and Historic Townscapes

Carstens 1880 Farmstead is an 80-acre agricultural exhibit site. It features the original, fully furnished Carstens family home. Carstens Farm Days offers a different perspective on agriculture: this annual show takes place on the first weekend after Labor Day and includes steam threshing, antique machinery, parades, arts and crafts, food and entertainment. Event dates may change; check the latest information before your trip.

In Westphalia, German craftsmen began building St. Boniface Catholic Church in 1881. St. Boniface Parish was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district in 1991. Historic Harlan Downtown Square is arranged around the Shelby County Courthouse; the historic district includes 51 buildings. The German Villages Tour passes through Defiance, Earling, Panama, Portsmouth and Westphalia. The German heritage of these communities is especially evident in their historic churches, though access to individual churches may vary. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Stone Arch Viaduct is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Shelby Bridge is a historic railroad structure.

Recurring festivals also celebrate regional traditions. Tivoli Fest takes place every Memorial Day weekend in Elk Horn and Kimballton, combining Danish cultural heritage with food, music and a full program of events. Dates and programming may change. The annual Julefest in Elk Horn features baked goods, Scandinavian specialties and Danish Christmas traditions; individual offerings may vary.

Prairie, Water and Outdoor Activities

Prairie Rose State Park covers 422 acres in the scenic hills of southwest Iowa. The 218-acre Prairie Rose Lake offers boating and a swimming beach. Shelby Wetland is a place for wildlife viewing and outdoor environmental education, as well as biking, walking and roller skating. By comparison, the state park combines its landscape with lake activities and a place to swim.

Elk Horn Creek Recreation Site, locally known as “The Grove,” is a nature preserve and campground with trails for easy walks. Seasonal operations may change. For a different kind of nature experience, Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park has 30 acres of restored prairie right next to the Museum of Danish America.

Planning Your Visit and Choosing a Hotel

The Danish Windmill is five minutes from Interstate 80; take Exit 54 and head north. The Museum of Danish America’s Genealogy & Education Center offers family history resources and accepts appointments on most Fridays. Arrange your appointment when planning your visit. Tours of the Leland and McIntosh cabins are available during the Shelby County Historical Museum’s opening hours. Since hours may change, check them before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Elk Horn, Cass County, Buena Vista County, Jones County, Cedar, Henry County, Osceola County, Story

For the main travel overview: Iowa.