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Famous Residents Grant Wood, recognized as one of America’s most outstanding regional painters, might be considered Cedar Rapids’ most famous resident. Wood was born February 13, 1891, on a farm outside of Anamosa, Iowa. His family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1901 where Grant graduated from high school in 1910. After a year of art school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Wood returned to Cedar Rapids and taught school for a couple of years. Then he decided to attend art school in Chicago then serve in the army before returning to Cedar Rapids once more to teach school. Wood traveled during the 1920's and took at least four trips to Europe. He was developing his painting style throughout the 1920's. In 1931 he painted American Gothic in Cedar Rapids. Wood continued to paint and also took on a teaching position at the University of Iowa where he worked until he died in 1942. A large collection of his work is on display at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. back to top QuincyNet Home Copyright© 2002-2003 by QuincyNet, a division of HCW Ltd. All Rights Reserved