The Straight Story
Laurens was the home of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old man famous for travelling on a lawnmower. His story was made into the film "The Straight Story" (1999) directed by David Lynch, starring Richard Farnsworth (Oscar-nominated), and Sissy Spacek; the film was partly made in Laurens. "Laurens, Iowa" is also the title of an instrumental song in the film soundtrack.