The Granger Diaries

by John Black (Editor)

The Granger House Museum is a Victorian-era home, the only restoration of its type in the area. The site consists of a brick and frame home and a two-story brick carriage house, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Earl Granger family, for whom it was named, was not famous, but their well-documented story helps us better remember the history of Marion, the surrounding communities, the state of Iowa, and in some cases, even the history of the United States.

This is the Diary of Earl Granger from 1892 - 1900. Earl Granger envisioned a better life. He traveled from Vermont to settle in Linn County, within the most original boundaries of historic Marion, Iowa in the nineteenth century—which would have been an adventure in itself. At the early, eager age of eighteen, he set out to build his vision in reality.
The Granger Family and its lasting legacy and residence have been properly acknowledged since the 1960’s, protected through historical landmark associations, architecturally restored several times, experienced nearly daily through supernatural phenomenon, and honored through monthly storied tours and holiday activities. The Granger legacy is now officially revived in print, to be shared and timelessly celebrated, through the personal words of the man who created it all.

Earl’s devotedly kept daily writings capture some of his day-to-day struggles, delights, and the burdens of family/farm life, as well as intimately personal thoughts on life at that time. His diary offers an honest tenderness toward the good times with his family, daily responsibilities, Nature’s blessings and punishments, as well as hardships of great loss and sadness.

History, as we know, is built one day at a time, and Earl Granger greeted his days seriously, and thoughtfully. Enjoy.

504 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.