He was best known for American Gothic among his many paintings, the Stone City Art Colony which began June 23, 1932, his murals on the walls of the no longer existing Montrose Hotel the stained glass window of the Veteran’s Memorial Building, the Corn Cob Chandelier for Iowa Corn Room his residence at 5 Turner Alley and as a Professor at the University of Iowa. In 1934, Grant Wood was appointed Director of the Public Works of Art Projects in Iowa. Grant Wood attended Washington High School and, Grant Wood together with his good friend and fellow artist, Marvin Cone, painted scenery for school plays and illustrated school publications. The Stone City Art Colony, The two young artists assisted with the installation of exhibitions at the Cedar Rapids Art Association, founded in 1905, located in the Carnegie Library. The Mound View Neighbors, At times, they even provided security by sleeping in the galleries. and other local connections. There are many connections to the Mound View Neighborhood where Grant Wood lived as a small boy. We invite you to explore your place in history Explore your place in history It is impossible to include the story of everyone buried at Oak Hill Cemetery at this time, Lots are still available but if your family has a special story to share please let us know for inclusion in future maps. Oak Hill Cemetery Association 1705 Mt. Vernon Rd. S. E. Oak Hill Cemetery Association Cedar Rapids Iowa Oak Hill Cemetery is non-profit lot owner association dedicated to preserving the heritage of Linn County, Iowa. 1705 Mt. Vernon Rd. S. E. ©2010 The Thoresen Project Cedar Rapids Iowa Mound View Neighbor – John Bissell Turner – Block 63 Lot 47 Mound View Neighbor – John & Ruth Anna Barry Family – Block 66 Lot 75 Mound View Neighbor – Austin N. Palmer Mound View Neighbor – Cedar Rapids Mayor – Julius F. Rall – Block 96 Lot 47 Student – Conger Metcalf – John who established his mortuary business in 1888 along with his son John Barry, father, a businessman who owned Hawkeye Lumber Company. The “Missing Mausoleum” Walter L. Cherry – In 1927 Wood received a prestigious local commission Block 95 Lot 126 David introduced the concept of using a funeral parlor for funeral services John W. Barry, Jr., Stone City Colony photographer was the youngest of six children. Mr. Palmer ran a business college Block 96 Lot 131 from the city of Cedar Rapids to design a stained Conger Metcalf began his rather than the home of the deceased in 1923 by acquiring the property John’s older brothers maintained an art studio in the basement of the family home, but is now better known for the Walter L. Cherry was glass window for the Veterans Memorial Building. career in art at Washington from the Sinclairs and converting it into Turner Mortuary. Grant Wood “was crafting projects from metal, paint, and wood. Grant Wood, was frequently part of Palmer Handwriting method, one with the manager of the J. G. Construction of this building was done during his term High School, where he took art responsible for the decorating and furnishing of the interior, and the landscaping the studio group. Barry’s mother, Ruth purchased Wood’s first painting to help numerous loops and swirls. Grant Wood Cherry Company, which as mayor. The Memorial Window stood 24 x 20 feet. classes and designed covers for of the grounds. He personally supervised the work, but also did much of it himself.” him pay for needed art supplies. Wood signed the image, an Impressionist-style painted four pictures of the evolution later became the Cherry At the base of the window were six life-size figures of the school’s yearbook. Judges Wood designed the iron gates at the front entrance. John was the man in the picture rendering of a scene of the Palisades on the Cedar River in what is now of hand writing for the 1934 Chicago Burrell and now Evergreen soldiers of every American war, beginning with the for the annual Cedar Rapids “John B. Turner, Pioneer.” John B. was the father of Nettie Turner Neff who once played Palisades-Dows State Preserve, as “G. Wood,” then signed his full name World’s Fair. Packaging Company. Revolutionary War and ending with W.W. I. Above the garden club poster contest, hookey with Orville Wright as evidenced in a letter from Nettie’s grandson, Howard Neff. “Grant Wood” at Mother Barry’s urging. In 1943, his widow Sadie requested the Grant Wood drew several soldiers was a woman representing the Republic. The Marvin Cone and Grant Wood, move to Chapel of Memories and the pictures of the Cherry window took two years to complete, including time awarded him third place in Palmer Mausoleum was sold in 1946 workers and one of the spent supervising the fabrication of the glass in Munich. their 1932 competition. That Cherry plant in 1925. 103 and removed from Oak Hill Cemetery. summer, Metcalf spent much 105 107 Grant’s younger brother time at the Stone City Art John C. Wood was a Colony and returned for the worker at the Cherry Stone City Student – Mary Brigham Johnson 1933 session. Following his Company. Although not buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Her time in the art colony, Metcalf father, Johnson Brigham is. He was Iowa’s first 92 enrolled at Coe College in 62 66 94 96 98 100 102 state librarian and publisher of The Midland Monthly, 58 & 60 64 68 70 104 Cedar Rapids, planning to a Des Moines-based literary magazine that launched 111 113 115 117 become a concert pianist. As [GAR] the careers of many prominent Iowa authors of the a student, he took art classes early 1900s. Married and living in the Birmingham, from Marvin Cone and majored Alabama area, Mary cultivated her Des Moines art in music. After graduating connections and received word of the Stone City in 1936, Metcalf moved to colony. She attended both sessions of the colony, Boston to pursue additional art travelling each time from Alabama. Mary continued studies. By 1954, Metcalf had painting and drawing, even composing bookplates firmly established himself in for her father’s literary endeavors. the Boston art community. Mound View Neighbor and Teacher – Mound View Neighbor – Leota Swem – Block 7 Lot 4 Dr. Byron McKeeby – Block 95 Lot 40 Leota Swem was a school teacher at Polk School in A friend of Grant Wood, Dr. McKeeby 1903 when Grant Wood was attending. Her father practiced dentistry in Cedar Rapids for was Edward L. Swem, a Civil War veteran. 45 years, yet he is best known as the model for the lean asture farmer in the Student – Charles B. Keeler – Block 34 Lots 1-2 VAULT painting American Gothic. Dr. Mckeeby, By 1911, Keeler (grandson of Elizabeth Calder Rock) a much warmer personality than the had a studio in Chicago, but periodically returned to 1930 canvas portrayal, would not, for Cedar Rapids, visiting family and exhibiting works of many years admit he had posed for the note. As an artist, Keeler was involved with the Torch well known work of his friend. Press, based in Cedar Rapids. He designed, etched, and printed the frontispiece and title page for the Torch Mound View Resident & Family– Press’ 1915 and 1916 popular Christmas series releases. Fred D. Weaver – Block 159 Lot 1343 As the United States entered World War I, Keeler was Fred Weaver had the first garage the company’s (339th Field Artillery) translator (fluent 5 Turner Alley – George B. & Irene Douglas in Cedar Rapids, and the first in French) and delegate to camouflage school. He automobile dealership west of the attended the Stone City art colony in 1933 and may Robert Sinclair The steam heated loft used as a studio by Grant Wood Mississippi. He was the brother of have shared an ice wagon with Grant Wood. Later he Hattie Wood and uncle of Grant moved to California. His works were exhibited at the was once the barn of the Robert Sinclair home, and was originally built by George B. Douglas. and Nan Wood. Smithsonian Institution’s division of graphic arts (1937) DeVolson Weaver was involved and at the Library of Congress. Grant Wood and his mother lived there for about 11 years, courtesy of David Turner. Irene Douglas was a charter with his son in this auto member of the Cedar Rapids Art Association. The Douglases’ dealership and was the Mound View Neighbor – Charles P. Hubbard – grandfather of Grant Wood. Block 55 Lot 4 interest in supporting local artists included a sleeping porch Mr. Charles P. Hubbard was the original owner of designed and created in 1925 by Grant Wood. Mrs. Douglas also 20 1 20 1 20 purchased a painting from Wood and two paintings from his friend 56 21 2 1 20 1 21 2 21 55 22 3 2 21 2 Hubbard Ice Company. In 1932 the old horse driven 22 3 22 54 3 23 4 23 4 22 3 53 23 4 24 5 24 5 23 4 52 24 5 Marvin Cone, Thunderheads and Banking Clouds. 25 6 25 6 24 5 51 25 6 26 7 26 7 25 6 ice wagons were obtained from then owner, Joseph 50 27 26 7 26 8 27 8 7 49 27 8 28 9 28 9 27 8 48 28 9 29 10 29 10 28 9 47 29 10 30 11 30 11 29 10 46 30 11 Chadima, to be used by Grant Wood during his two 31 12 31 12 30 11 45 31 12 32 13 32 13 31 12 44 32 13 33 14 33 14 32 13 43 33 14 34 15 34 15 33 14 42 34 15 35 16 35 16 34 15 summers in Stone City.