A religiously motivated community, the Amana Colonies produce smoked meats, woolen goods, bakery products, furniture, ovens and microwaves, refrigerators, food freezers, and air conditioners. The history of the community goes back to the 1714 founding in Germany of the Inspirationists, a Lutheran separatist group. Members migrated to America and settled near Buffalo, New York. Later they bought 25,000 acres of prairie land in Iowa and moved west. Their first Iowa village was called Amana, a Biblical name meaning "remain faithful." Five more villages were built (West, High, Middle, East, and South Amana). The village of Homestead was purchased outright to acquire use of its railroad terminal.

At first, the members of the Amana Colonies lived a simple, communal life. Families were assigned living quarters with common kitchen and dining facilities; everything was shared equally. Farming was and still is a mainstay of the group. The community finally yielded to the pressures of the 20th century. In 1932, common property was dissolved and redistributed on a stock corporation basis. The new corporation, encouraging individual skills and vigor, prospered mostly because of the quality work of its artisans. Today, nearly every family owns its own house.