Dutch Culture

1847

In the summer of 1847, a company of immigrants from the Netherlands followed Dominie Hendrik Peter Scholte and settled in Marion County, Iowa, on the divide between the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers. In their own country, they had been persecuted on account of religion, being dissenters from the state Reformed church, and so they called their new home Pella, the name taken from a biblical city of refuge. Upon the seal of their new town, they inscribed the words “In Deo Spes Nostra et Refugium," or “In God Our Hope and Refuge.”

1853

Central College officially opened Oct. 8, 1854, with a class of 37. The campus consisted of one two-story building containing three rudimentary classrooms. This fledgling institution grew both in size and mission during its first 60 years, eventually moving to a parcel of land donated by Pella’s founding father, Dominie Pieter Scholte. The college survived fires, wars, and economic depression during a period of history that saw the United States double in size. It remained solvent because of the faith and dedication of its early faculty members, some of whom accepted produce from local farms as payment. Today, Central continues to encourage students to develop a global perspective and joins with study abroad programs at universities around the world. Students also gain a world view through faculty-led off-campus programs.

1859

Infamous lawman Wyatt Earp moves to Pella as a child with his family. Within the Pella Historical Museum, The Wyatt Earp Experience is a historical exhibit unlike any other. It examines the life of Wyatt Earp, including his childhood, relationships, and legacy as you explore the rooms where he lived in the early 1860s.

1925

The Rolscreen Company, now a window and door manufacturer known as Pella Corporation, was established. They now have over 200 showrooms in the U.S. providing windows and doors for both residential homes and commercial applications.

1935

Pella celebrates its first-ever Tulip Time Festival and with only 2 weeks notice, a local-cabinet maker built 125 four-foot-tall wooden tulips.

1948

Vermeer Corporation, now a global agricultural and industrial implement dealer, was established in Pella. Today you’ll find Vermeer equipment impacting agriculture, biomass, tree care, landscape, rental, recycling, forestry, utility, pipeline and mining markets.

2002

The Vermeer Windmill, one of the tallest working grain windmills in the United States, was completed. Designed and built by Lukas Verbij in Hoogmade, the Netherlands, the mill was de-assembled, shipped to Iowa, and re-assembled here in Pella in 2002.

2022

Lely North America completes new headquarters in Pella. The investment in the campus supports the long-term vision of the team in North America and around the world to create "A sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable future in farming."

2022

Pella celebrates 175 years!