Barbara Heinemann Landmann - The Inspirationists Move To Iowa, 1855-1864.

The Inspirationists Move To Iowa, 1855-1864.

The original 5,000 acres (20 km2) became 8,000 acres (32 km2) as the Community kept growing; but then land became hard to get. The rapid growth of the city of Buffalo, which was but five miles (8 km) away, caused real estate to become so costly that the purchase of additional land in any appreciable quantity was out of the question.

In addition to the lack of available land, another more serious problem confronted the Community. The thriving city of Buffalo with its worldly influences was too easily accessible to the young people; the Elders were concerned.

In 1854 Christian Metz delivered a testimony: the Inspirationists should direct their eyes to the West in order to find a new home. The Elders hesitated. Christian Metz delivered further testimonies: many opportunities had already been lost; and four representatives should now be appointed to search for a new home in the West.

The Elders appointed a committee of four, including Christian Metz, to make the search. The committee journeyed to the Territory of Kansas, which had recently been opened up for settlement. They spent a month there, inspecting tracts of land recommended by land agents; but they were unable to come to a decision. They returned to Ebenezer, much discouraged.

After more discussions, the Elders appointed a committee of two to go to the new State of Iowa and there inspect the large tracts of land that belonged to the government. Upon reaching the present location of the Community in Iowa, the committee sent back such glowing descriptions that the Elders dispatched a third committee of four who were authorized to purchase land. This committee secured a tract of nearly 18,000 acres (73 km2). Where necessary, they bought scattered farms—even at a high figure—in order to secure a contiguous tract.

The first village in the Iowa tract was laid out during the summer of 1855, on a hillside north of the Iowa River. The Inspirationists called it "Amana," which means "believe faithfully." In that same year, the Lord gave His approval of this name in a song that was poured forth through Christian Metz. Within another seven years, five more villages were laid out, within a radius of six miles (10 km) from what came to be known as Main Amana: West Amana, South Amana, High Amana, East Amana, and Middle Amana.

The Inspirationists sold their land in the Ebenezer Colonies piece by piece, a task which required much time and patience. To their business credit, it is recorded that they were able to dispose of their land and all its improvements without the loss of a single dollar. They completed their migration to Iowa in 1864, nine years after they founded their first village there.