Barbara Heinemann Landmann - The Inspirationists Add Homestead To The Amana Colonies.

The Inspirationists Add Homestead To The Amana Colonies.

Barbara became involved with the purchase of Homestead, Iowa, the final village in the Amana Colonies. During the early years of the Colonies, the nearest railroad station was in Iowa City, 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Main Amana; but in 1861, the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad was completed as far as the village of Homestead, only two miles south of Main Amana. Homestead would now be the place where Community received the goods that it needed, and the place from which it shipped the goods that it produced. The Elders felt the need to add Homestead to the Amana Colonies. They were afraid to do so, however, because of the influence of the outsiders living in the village. During their discussions, they asked Barbara for her opinion. She fell into Inspiration and said:

How can I establish my dwelling at that place when you own it only in part. Better order must be established, for there are indeed still dwelling at that place those who rob earthly treasures as well as treasures of the soul, and therefore I cannot enter. (Bezeugungen, 1861)

The Elders bought the whole village. They bought out the outsiders and removed them.