This is a picture taken at the Givin coal mines in East Des Moines Township, Iowa, in the late 1800's. Many communities, like Givin, have little or no presence in Mahaska County today. Once the coal industry diminished, the people in communities…
Religion has always played a very important role in Mahaska County, Iowa. One of the credits to the county has been its people's tolerance for others to worship freely without fear. Pictured here is the Methodist Church in rural Givin, Iowa.