About Us :

The town of Elk Horn was incorporated in 1901 and became the center of Danish immigration in the middle of the 19th century when the homeland became crowded and living conditions more difficult. The first major undertaking of the Elk Horn Danes was a folk school for the education of Danish immigrants and settlers. This school was the first of this kind in America and was followed by a Lutheran church and later a Baptist church. Another mutual project was the organization of the Danish Mutual Fire Insurance Association. From a small beginning, the company has grown to one of Iowa's largest Mutuals.

Elk Horn is the largest rural Danish settlement in the U.S. The community was settled by early Danish immigrants with many of the small homes done in Danish architecture. Many of the Danish customs are still followed in the homes. The Danish Windmill received Iowa's top tourism attraction for 1990 and the Danish Immigrant Museum received the same honor in 1994. The small town of Elk Horn is very neatly kept with well manicured lawns in which you will see many miniature windmills. Everyone is proud of the Danish heritage and when you visit you will experience the friendliness of this Danish community.