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…
Founded in 1886, the Oskaloosa Business College served as an extension of the Oskaloosa College campus on the other side of town by offering courses of study in Business, Shorthand, and Instrumental Music. W.L. Howe is responsible for the founding…
Bridge going over the Skunk River in 1896. The Skunk River is a mid-size river in terms of both its width and distance. The Skunk River also consists of two branches: the North Skunk River and South Skunk River. The irony of the two branches is…
Like Mahaska County, many counties throughout Iowa have depended on their water supply from local rivers running within their community's vicinity. This photograph is an example of that. It also serves as an example of how long communities have…
Judge M.T. Williams can be credited for helping determine the official town name and Mahaska County seat of Oskaloosa in 1844. Moving from his native home state of Ohio, Williams came to Iowa in 1843 and set up a law practice located in Mt.…
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.
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 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 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.
