This is a picture of the Mahaska County Courthouse as it appeared in 1896. The courthouse was first built in 1886, so this is a view of the courthouse roughly ten years later.
This historic home was the residence of Col. Albert W. Swalm, one-time editor and owner of the Oskaloosa Herald. Swalm came to Oskaloosa from Pennsylvania to learn the printing business from John R. Needham. After serving in the Civil War, Swalm…
This historic home was the residence of Congressman John F. Lacey, who served in the United States House of Representatives between 1890 and 1908. His house was located on the corner of North Market Street and B Avenue East.
This is a view of the Oskaloosa National Bank as it appeared in 1896. Banks in Oskaloosa have come and gone, but the location of the banks in this community until the past few decades have remained within a block or two of this bank's location here;…
This is a view of the Oskaloosa Hospital as it appeared in 1896. Today, this hospital is known as the Mahaska Hospital and Health Partnership. The original hospital was located where the current hospital is, but was of much smaller proportion on C…
This picture shows the hard work that went on in machine shops during the late 19th Century. This image was taken inside Seever's Mfg. Co. of men inside a machine shop. Seever's Mfg. Co. specialized in creating iron bridges, water heaters, and…
Scene of the Skunk River dam in 1896. Along with the Des Moines River, these two rivers served as natural borders for the layout of Mahaska County in the 1840's.
The Skunk River as scene through the eyes of the beholder in 1896. The Skunk River was once known as the Chiquaqua River by Native Americans and pioneers residing in the area in the early 1840's. Because of the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers, Mahaska…
In 1876, Lincoln school was erected to serve the children residing in the First Ward of Oskaloosa. This is a photograph taken of the school in 1896, at which time P.L. Kindig served as the building's principal. Teachers on staff included Alcina…
In 1869, Jefferson School was erected to serve the children residing in the Second Ward of Oskaloosa. This is a photograph taken of the school in 1896, at which time the building administator was Milo Hunt. Teachers on staff included: Floy…
