During pioneer days in the Midwest, women held very important responsibilities to see to it that her spouse and children were cared for. The phrase, a woman's work is never done, certainly holds true, especially during this time period. In this…
This is a photograph taken of Samira Ann Hobbs Phillips, the first school teacher in Mahaska County, Iowa, in 1844. The first schoolhouse in Mahaska County was located approximately two miles east of Oskaloosa. Fighting the elements, heavy…
Getting to a fire in the late 1800's meant two things; you had a wait on your hands and you probably wouldn't have much left by the time the fire department arrived at the scene. Still, the fire department in those days did everything it possibly…
This is a picture taken of activities going on at the northeast corner of the Oskaloosa town square looking west in 1868. Over the years, the town has been able to modify the town square into a center for town gatherings and entertainment.
This is a scene taken at a parade held in downtown Oskaloosa in the late 1800's. The heavy concentration of trees in the middle of the photograph is the town square at that point. Over the years, the town has been able to modify the town square…
