Stone City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Jones County, Iowa, United States.

Stone City began as a company town for the workers of the local quarries.

[4][5] As the railroad system expanded westward, distribution of limestone to bordering states increased.

[7] As the quarry business flourished, a city of stone emerged as hundreds of people settled in the area.

[4] Overlooking the town, Green built his twelve-room mansion containing seven Italian marble fireplaces, hand-painted murals, two baths, and a conservatory.

In 1932, Grant Wood, Edward Rowan, and Adrian Dornbush established Stone City Art Colony.

With little more than $100 and a number of promissory notes based on the success of the art colony they leased 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land on the Green Estate.

The parcel of leased land included the Green Mansion, the Ice House and Water Tower.

The rest of the house was used for business offices, kitchen, a sculpture studio and showers for the men.

The upper portion of the water tower was converted into an apartment where Adrian Dornbush lived.

Thanks to the vision of George Nissen (the developer of the modern trampoline) the original three-story Stone Barn, the Quarry Office, Water Tower and Ice House were preserved although they have been converted into private homes.

The preservation of these structures, along with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Schoolhouse, General Store, Dearborn Residence, Blacksmith Shop and several other private homes has helped revitalize the town with new families without losing the charm of old Stone City.

The stone from the banks of the Wapsipinicon River can be seen in both old and new construction, not just in Iowa, but across the United States.

[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 1.79 square miles (4.64 km2).

[14] The painting captures the sentiment Wood must have had for the area he lived all his young life.