Edna Ferber’s Ottumwa Roots: A Literary Legend’s Early Years

Edna Ferber was an award-winning writer who lived with her family in Ottumwa from the time she was five years old until she was twelve. She is best known for writing “Show Boat,” and her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “So Big.”

Edna Ferber is one of America’s most celebrated authors, known for her vivid storytelling and strong female protagonists. Her works, including *Show Boat* and the Pulitzer Prize-winning *So Big*, have left a lasting impact on literature, stage, and film. But few people know that Ferber’s journey began, in part, in the small town of Ottumwa, Iowa.

Edna’s father, Jacob Charles Ferber, moved the family to Ottumwa in 1890 to open a shop on Mains Street called, “The Fair.” This store was also called “Ferber’s Fair” and “Ferber’s Great Fair.” It closed in 1897.

Growing Up in Ottumwa

Born in Michigan in 1885, Edna Ferber moved to Ottumwa at the age of five when her father, Jacob Charles Ferber, opened a shop called "Ferber’s Great Fair" on Main Street. The store specialized in household goods and clothing at discounted prices, serving as a hub for local shoppers.

Despite the bustling activity of Main Street, life in Ottumwa was not easy for young Edna. As a Jewish girl in a predominantly Christian town, she faced verbal harassment and discrimination. Some children even spat on her because of her heritage, an experience that would shape her perspective on social injustice and resilience—common themes in her later works.

A Family’s Struggles

While the family hoped for success in their new home, Jacob Ferber struggled to keep his business afloat. By 1897, "Ferber’s Great Fair" closed its doors, forcing the family to leave Ottumwa. They relocated to Wisconsin, where Edna completed high school, attended college, and launched her career as a journalist and novelist.

The Fair in Downtown Ottumwa

The Legacy of Ottumwa in Ferber’s Writing

Although she spent only seven years in Ottumwa, those formative years left a mark on Ferber. The struggles of working-class families, the complexities of identity, and the challenges faced by outsiders in small communities—all of these themes appear in her novels.

Ferber’s ability to capture the spirit of everyday people, combined with her sharp wit and social consciousness, helped her become one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. From her early days in Ottumwa to the heights of literary fame, her journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of storytelling.

Today, Ottumwa’s Main Street remains a historic landmark, and its connection to Edna Ferber serves as a reminder that even small towns can help shape great literary minds.