The west side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared during the Civil War (1861-1865). The white fence line stood as a place for townspeople to park their horse or carriage while they went about their day visiting the various establishments…
The southeast side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1942. The building structures are still in tact today, despite having new ownership and extra features on the outside of the buildings.
The southeast side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1868. At this point, the town post office existed on the square itself. Today, the post office is located on South Market Street.
The south half of the east side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1942. The most notable change between this picture and the one from 1868 is that regarding the hotel name. In 1856, Major F.L. Downing owned the establishment since 1856…
The south half of the east side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1868. The trees you see in this photograph are located in the middle of the town square today, providing an excellent source of shade for people as they attend concerts,…
The north side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1942. By this point, buildings had been modernized and one could begin to capture the real essence of life around a town square.
The north side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1868. The park stood on the inside of the white fence line, but it was not for some time that the bandstand/gazebo was in existence.
The north half of the east side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1942. By this point, roads had been paved and the Mahaska County courthouse had taken the place of the once established grocery and clothing stores.
The north half of the east side of Oskaloosa's town square as it appeared in 1868. Notice how roads were not yet paved and wouldn't become paved for almost another 30 years.
Henry C. Leighton is remembered in Oskaloosa as a dedicated and well-respected editor and journalist for the Oskaloosa Herald, but he is also remembered for his loyalty and dedication to the Triluminar Masonic Lodge in Oskaloosa, for which he served…
