This is a picture of the Mahaska Lead and Zinc Mining Company, operating circa 1890, in Mahaska County, Iowa. It is important to note that coal was not the only mineral mined for in Mahaska County during the late 1800's.
This is a picture taken at the White Brothers coal mine in Adams Township, Iowa, in the late 1800's. Many communities, like the ones in Adams Township, have little or no presence in Mahaska County today. Once the coal industry diminished, the…
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…
This is a picture taken at the Old Excelsior Mine Shaft #2 back in 1886. The mine was located three miles south of Oskaloosa, Iowa, in Mahaska County. Today, many buildings and facilities in Oskaloosa were once the site of a coal mining operation. …
This is a picture taken at Sam Smith Coal Mine back in 1895. The Sam Smith coal mine was located southwest of Oskaloosa College, which today is on the 1300 block of High Avenue West. Today, many buildings and facilities in Oskaloosa were once the…
This is a picture taken at Sam Smith Coal Mine back in 1895. The Sam Smith coal mine was located southwest of Oskaloosa College, which today is on the 1300 block of High Avenue West. Today, many buildings and facilities in Oskaloosa were once the…
On September 16, 1899, a horrific train wreck happened in Tioga, White Oak Township, Mahaska County, Iowa. This happened when a passenger train coming from Belle Plaine crashed directly into a freight train in Tioga. Four passenger train workers…
This is a map dating to 1890 that shows the importance and extent to which the railroad serviced Mahaska County the later half of the 19th Century. Key railway lines that came through Mahaska County and more importantly the county seat of Oskaloosa…
This is a commencement program that was distributed to guests attending the twenty-first graduation ceremony of Oskaloosa College's class of 1883. The program lists different speeches and musical performances throughout the morning and afternoon. …
Oskaloosa College, not to be confused with Penn College which is also located in Oskaloosa, was the first college to open in Mahaska County in 1861. George T. Carpenter served as Oskaloosa College's first president. The college was never…
