Small business and entrepreneurship were the hopes and dreams of many Americans, especially in the late 19th Century. Store owners took pride in the fact that they were able to build up enough in savings to start a business venture. Pictured here…
This is a photograph of the H.L. Spencer and Company loading shed that was taken in the 1890's. Harry Lindley (H.L.) Spencer started a grocery business in 1867 with F.J. Terry in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Over the years the business gained much success and…
This is a photograph of the H.L. Spencer and Company basement stockroom that was taken in the 1890's. Harry Lindley (H.L.) Spencer started a grocery business in 1867 with F.J. Terry in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Over the years the business gained much…
This is a drawing of the H.L. Spencer Memorial Chapel. Harry Lindley (H.L.) Spencer served in the Civil War in the 9th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. After the war, Spencer moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he started a grocery business in 1867 with F.J.…
Pictured here in this photograph is work being done in order to pave Oskaloosa, Iowa's first modern day road for automobile use. Prior to this, the horse and buggy were the common method of transportation used in the community, as it was across all…
This photograph depicts a scene from the 1912 Labor Day parade in downtown Oskaloosa, Iowa. In this image, the participants of the parade are marching down High Ave West. The citizens of Oskaloosa deeply respected all who worked and the workers…
Pictured here is the southside of the Oskaloosa town square as it appeared around 1900. The southside of the square is bordered by 1st Avenue East, which runs perpendicular with South Market Street. As Oskaloosa entered the 20th Century, its roads…
Historically, The Hub serves as a wonderful example of American small business at the turn of the 20th Century. Location was the key to American small business success and The Hub definitely had this quality, as it was situated in downtown Oskaloosa…
The Elmhurst Country Club in Oskaloosa, Iowa opened in 1928. Many luncheons and banquets were held there until the country club closed in 2008 and was reopened in 2008 as Oskaloosa Golf. Seated in the middle of the photograph is C.L. Barnhouse,…
This is a photograph of gentleman enjoying a drink after playing eighteen holes of golf at the Elmhurst Country Club in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The course and country club opened in 1928 and was in business until 2008, when it closed its doors, but was…
