St. Louis Trip, Day 1 - Friday, July 24, 2015
We left home Friday at about 4:30 A.M. I had done my packing the evening before, so I placed everything in the van, bid farewell to my mother and brother, and settled into the back seat to try to get some more sleep.
One of our first stops of the day (after breakfast) was the Mahaska County courthouse in Oskaloosa, Iowa. It is a beautiful building, overlooking a park with a very nice gazebo, and a statue to commemorate Mahaska, a chief of the Ioway Indians.
In the park is a Spanish torpedo taken out of the Harbor of Guantanamo in 1899 by Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Commander Frank F. Fletcher of the U.S. Navy, and presented by him to the city of Oskaloosa--his birthplace.
Oskaloosa has a beautiful, vibrant downtown area, with buildings from the late 1800s still in use. Oskaloosa was platted in 1844, and in the 1870s it became a coal mining town. At its peak, Mahaska County had more coal mines and tonnage produced than any other Iowa county at the time. Its largest coal camp was centered in Muchakinock, about 5 miles south of Oskaloosa. In about 1900, the coal supply in Muchakinock became exhausted, and the Consolidation Coal Company moved to Buxton in Monroe County.
Muchakinock no longer exists as a town, but Oskaloosa remains with a population of 11,568. The courthouse looked like it would be a neat place to tour, but was not open yet. We did not want to wait till 8:00 for it to open, so we continued on our journey.
Muchakinock no longer exists as a town, but Oskaloosa remains with a population of 11,568. The courthouse looked like it would be a neat place to tour, but was not open yet. We did not want to wait till 8:00 for it to open, so we continued on our journey.
Bethany very inteesting post and educational one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gosia!
DeleteGood morning Beth! Another lovely post with interesting information. That's a very beautiful building. Have you taken your dinner there? Wishing you a lovely Friday! Liuba x
ReplyDeleteWe ate breakfast from a McDonalds on the way--in Grinnell, Iowa, I think. The courthouse is where the county offices and courtrooms are. Have an awesome day as well!
DeleteHello Beth, the Courthouse is a beautiful building. Thanks for sharing your visit. Great photos! Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen!
Deletethose old buildings are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. They're pretty neat.
DeleteHi Bethany. That is a very beautiful courthouse. You always visit the most wonderful places.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend... :)
You too, Dee!
DeleteOh my, those buildings are architecturally fabulous. I love the courthouse, but that little book vault looks so interesting. Interesting sites and photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
It would be neat to see inside the Book Vault and learn about its history. We were wondering if it could have been a bank at one time. Have a great weekend as well.
DeleteThe Mahaska County courthouse is a stunning building. The downtown area also looks like a nice place to explore and photograph. You are an explorer like I am and I think you'd really enjoy a visit to my city. It dates back to the 1600s and has some beautiful and historic buildings and sites to see. And a lot of very friendly people!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the kind of place I'd love to visit...plus if I did visit, I'd (hopefully) get to meet you, which would make it all the better!
DeleteWhat a beautiful building! I would love to visit this city too!
ReplyDeleteGlad we drove through and stopped to look around.
DeleteSuperb building and lovely lesson in history. I am heartened to see the Indian Chief was at least honored with a statue.
ReplyDeleteHave a Beautiful Day!
Peace :)
Plus, the county was named after him. I don't think he will soon be forgotten in Oskaloosa. Have a great day as well!
DeleteOskaloosa sounds like it has a rich and interesting history! I really like the architecture from the late 1800's early 1900's era.
ReplyDeleteIt's neat to see.
DeleteToo bad is was too early for going inside. Maybe another time!
ReplyDeleteOh well. We could have waited, but we wanted to keep moving to see other interesting places.
DeleteIt sure is a beuty!
ReplyDeleteThe counties have interesting names that are fun to say. I like how the old buildings are still in use.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is good to see.
DeleteThat Book Vault building is awesome. Enjoyed seeing all the images of this quaint little town.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Gail!
DeleteOh that courthouse looks like a very interesting place, To bad you weren't able to visit it inside The outside sure was nice.
ReplyDeleteThey say the early bird gets the worm...but unfortunately sometimes it's possible to be too early!
DeleteSo pretty! Love following on your travels and seeing new sights and learning new things. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie!
DeleteHi Bethany, Wow, the Mahaska County courthouse is an impressive building. I appreciate monuments honoring our Native Americans. These posts from your travels are neat! When are you coming out to the West Coast? :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know...would be nice to see the land of my nativity (Oregon) again someday. ;)
DeleteVeru unusual building!
ReplyDeleteIt appears to be a nice one!
DeleteOops, make that very. Janey
ReplyDeleteU and y are pretty close on the keyboard. :)
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