This photograph was made by combining two photographs taken in April 1996. Unfortunately, many of the features in the painting are obscured by the trees that now populate the area. Recent grading has lowered the elevation of the site, further frustrating efforts to capture the proper perspective.
Grant Wood moved some of the hills and removed the railway that once crossed the Wapsipinicon River at Stone City. The stone building barely visible in the photograph (20% from the right border) served as the general store, post office, and railway station. The rail tracks ran immediately beside this building, between it and the foreground.
The road can be seen in the photograph as it crosses the river, passes the general store, curves, and then climbs the hill. The church building is hidden by the tall trees at the left of the photograph. The quarry has expanded up river (to the left) and up the hill in recent years.
Various views of Stone City can be viewed at this web site. Many contain features seen in the painting.
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Revised June 17, 1996