Oskaloosa, Kansas - History and Information

Oskaloosa, Kansas - Page 2

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During the dull times, in the early history of Oskaloosa, several of the most prominent men organized themselves into a "Lazy Club." The club had rigid rules, and if any member was seen to have any implement of labor, his case was promptly investigated, and if he was proven guilty of having performed any work, he was expelled. The badge of distinction was a Barlow knife, which was awarded to the champion lazy man.

Though some of Oskaloosa's citizens might have been “lazy,” others were not including the Methodist Espisopalians, who started building a church in 1860, which was completed the following year.

During the Civil War the town made little improvement, just barely holding its own in population and the amount of business conducted. After the war, the town revived a little, but for a great many years did not increase its population very much, though many public and private improvements were made, however.

The Jefferson County Courthouse was built in 1867 on the public square

in Oskaloosa. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a tornado in 1960.

Photo by Douglas McCleery, 1958.

The old buildings, built for temporary accommodations on first settlement, steadily gave way to neat and attractive residences and large and substantial business buildings.

In 1865 Oskaloosa citizens voted bonds for the erection of a large two-story brick schoolhouse. Work on the building soon commenced.

In 1868, two more newspapers were established including the Oskaloosa Democrat and the Oskaloosa Statesman. The Democrat was very short lived but the Statesman lasted for four years. In October, 1873, another newspaper was started called the Sickle and Sheaf by Jules L. Williams and B. R. Wilson. The name was later changed to the Oskaloosa Weekly Sickle and remained until 1886.

In August, 1869, the city was incorporated and city officers appointed.

Several churches were also built after the war including the Episcopal Church, which was completed in 1870 and a Presbyterian Church in 1872. Two African-American churches were built in 1872 – one for the Baptists and another for the Methodists.

This order of things was kept up until 1880, when the number of inhabitants just shy of 800. The next year, however, the city began to revive a great deal, growing to a population of about 1,000. By this time, the town also boasted five churches, two schoolhouses, two banks, 21 stores, three hotels, two livery stables, a grain elevator, sawmill, two printing offices, and several shops of various kinds.

By the turn of the century, the town boasted two railroads – the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Missouri Pacific. It also supported a high school, churches of nearly every denomination, and all lines of business, including banks, newspapers, a saw and grist mill, electric light plant, an ice and canning factory, and a bridle bit factory. Local farmers also produced grain and other products in large quantities. The population in 1910 was 851.

Over the years, Oskaloosa maintained its small town atmosphere while continuing to thrive as the commercial center of Jefferson County, an agricultural community, and later, as a bedroom community to the nearby towns of Lawrence and Topeka.

Situated at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Kansas Highway 92, it is surrounded by rolling wooded hills, which provide excellent hunting. Perry Lake, just a few miles west of town, offers camping, fishing, and boating on one of Kansas' prettiest lakes.

A new courthouse was built at the same location on the public square

as the old one after it was destroyed. Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

Much of the history of Jefferson County can be seen at Old Jefferson Town in Oskaloosa. Here, the Jefferson County Historical Society has moved several structures from around the county to a ten acre park that includes a blacksmith shop, jail, general store, church, school house, a Victorian home, and the John Steuart Curry boyhood home & museum. The site also includes an art gallery and genealogical research center.

Another great stop in Oskaloosa is the Parker Pharmacy at 321 Jefferson Street. The store still featuring a real "old time" soda fountain that has been serving up delicious treats since the 1950’s.

Today, Oskaloosa is called home to about 1,100 people.

More Information:

City of Oskaloosa

100 E Washington, Suite C
PO Box 446
Oskaloosa, Kansas 66066-0446
785-863-2651

Also See:

Old Jefferson Town

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