Pella in Marion County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Dutch Influence on Today's Pella

November 5, 2023

1. Dutch Influence on Today's Pella Marker

Inscription.
In 1847, the Dutch band left their farms and homes in the Netherlands because they wanted to worship their own way, and they needed more economic opportunity. Their determination led them to this part of the Iowa prairie. For the first few years of Pella's existence, the community worshiped as one congregation at Scholte's "Christian Church." As more immigrants arrived, additional denominations formed. In 1858, the Dutch Protestant Church came to Pella, and today, over one-third of Pella's 25 church congregations can trace their roots back to this denomination. The oldest remaining church building in Pella, known as the "Soul Sleepers Church," was constructed in the late 1850s. It still stands at 824 Franklin Street.

Our Dutch ancestors were innovative problem solvers, investing their own money and time to cultivate farms and build businesses. Pella's early history is full of stories of residents who started their own mills, brickyards, wagon factories, shops, and warehouses. These founders lived frugally in modest homes as they invested in their businesses. Today's entrepreneurs show the same willingness to take risk

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and solve their own problems as their predecessors.

Pella has been blessed with local philanthropy from successful businesses. The founders and leaders of these companies have donated their time, money, and leadership to local projects, including our library, our schools, our downtown Dutch architecture, our churches, our sports fields, and our theaters. This leadership provides an example to others. These improvements make Pella a particularly pleasant place to live and to visit.

Our visitors often comment on Pella's neat and clean appearance. The tradition was evident even as our ancestors emigrated. The four ships they boarded as they left the homeland did not have the cleanliness to meet Dutch standards. Almost immediately, the Dutch passengers - both men and women - cleaned the ships from top to bottom. In fact, when landing in Baltimore, the immigrants could disembark without the usual health inspections. The captains testified that they had never brought across the Atlantic more orderly or better-behaved passengers. The adage "cleanliness is next to Godliness" was not wasted on our forefathers and mothers.

Pella is known

Dutch Influence on Today's Pella Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

November 5, 2023

2. Dutch Influence on Today's Pella Marker, from the west

for its bakeries and meat markets, and visitors enjoy trying Dutch Letters and Pella bologna. The Dutch word "koekje", meaning "little cake", is now known as cookie. The Dutch initially created these sweet treats to test the temperature of their ovens. Dutch children would line up in the kitchen to get their hands on them before the cooks would bake more complex breads and pastries. These little delights made it to America through the bakeries of the Dutch.

Erected 2021 by Historic Pella Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 41° 24.685′ N, 92° 54.944′ W. Marker is in Pella, Iowa, in Marion County. It can be reached from Houston Avenue north of Lincoln Street, on the right when traveling south. Located along the Tuttle Learning Walk, between Tuttle Cabin and Sunken Garden Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1110 Main St, Pella IA 50219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Iowa.

Welcome to the Tuttle Learning Walk Marker, nearby image. Click for full size.

November 5, 2023

3. Welcome to the Tuttle Learning Walk Marker, nearby

"Designed by the Historic Pella Trust and funded through its generous contributors. Gifted to the City of Pella for all to enjoy.
Dedicated 2021
https://historicpellatrust.org"

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tulip Time and Sunken Garden (a few steps from this marker); Pella and the Civil War (a few steps from this marker); The Early Years (a few steps from this marker); A Nod to the Baptists (within shouting distance of this marker); Why the Dutch Left Their Homeland (within shouting distance of this marker); The Land Before the Dutch (within shouting distance of this marker); Tuttle Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Pella Civil War Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pella.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2023. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2023.