Ames, IA

About Ames

• • Cloris Leachman, the Emmy and Oscar-winning actress, was born in Des Moines and raised in Ames.
• • The first electronic digital computer, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC), was invented at Iowa State.
• • Iowa State University's establishment in 1858 cemented Ames' place as an educational hub.
• • Ames was a filming location for the 1996 film "Twister", because of its flat terrain.
• • The Great Labor Day Storm of 1950 brought a record low pressure and significant damage.
• • It was named after Congressman Oakes Ames in 1864, honoring his support for the railroad.
• • With 66,427 residents, it's larger than most Iowa college towns.
• • Its elevation is 928 feet, higher than many other Iowa cities.
• • Education and research at Iowa State drive much of the local economy.
• • Ames feels like a blend of academic energy and Midwestern charm.
• • The Iowa Wild (AHL) are in Des Moines, about 30 minutes away, and are affiliated with the Minnesota Wild.
• • Iowa State's rivalry with the University of Iowa, especially in football, is called the Cy-Hawk series.

Artists From Ames

Songs About Ames

Nearby Places