The three small pyramids in Hickory Grove Cemetery near Avery, Iowa, are among the more unusual and little-known monuments in the state. Built in 1939 by Axel Peterson—a Swedish immigrant and stonemason—they were constructed with remarkable attention to proportion, designed to replicate the dimensions of the Great Pyramids of Egypt on a smaller scale.
Peterson was deeply interested in ancient Egyptian culture, especially its beliefs about the afterlife and the symbolic power of pyramids. His fascination wasn’t just academic—it inspired him to design a lasting tribute in the middle of rural Iowa. Using local stone and traditional masonry techniques, he spent considerable time and effort shaping the pyramids by hand, likely without modern equipment.
The largest pyramid, about 14 feet tall, was reportedly intended to be Peterson’s final resting place, and he may have even hoped to be entombed inside it. However, due to state burial laws and cemetery regulations, that part of the plan was never fully realized. He is buried nearby, marked with a traditional headstone. His friend, who helped with the construction, is also buried in the vicinity.
