Volunteers Helping Project Highlight City History

Oskaloosa firefighter Mark Tennison unveils the new brass plaque that will help residents and visitors alike learn more about Oskaloosa buildings.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – A group of individuals have adopted historic buildings in downtown Oskaloosa and are working on investigating those buildings, and presenting that information on a brass plaque and a website.

Ann Brower helped to spearhead the project in January of 2017, and included the efforts of Sherry Vavra and Jen Main. The committee also included Renne McLaughlin and Karen Hafner.

The hope was to highlight eight downtown buildings plus the Oskaloosa Fire Station.

Each historical marker is expected to include photos of the structure through the years, as well as facts and history. A more thorough history lesson of the structure will then be found on the Oskaloosa Chamber’s website and titled ‘The Rest of the Story’.

The website is being designed by Emily Brown, Oskaloosa Main Street Director, and Deann DeGroot. The pair will update the website and pages as more information becomes available for each structure.

A ceremony was held on Thursday, as the first of the dedications took place at the Oskaloosa Fire Station.

The plaque is solid brass and is cast by Clow Valve Company at the Oskaloosa facility. Help with creating the reusable mold for the project came from Musco.

Brower thanked John Grahek and Clow Valve, and Tom Stone from Musco for their contributions to making the plaques possible. Brower also announced that Colt Mefford has agreed to install the signs free of charge.

B&B Bedding and Mike Vore and his family have also helped to cover the costs of the historical markers. Also helping to cover the costs are Kelli Steil, Vicki Collett, and Jen Main.

“So all these people have made this physical marker possible,” said Brower. “We’re so thankful.”

Brower thanked all of the research team that is working on the structures.

Those researchers include; Todd Roach, Lyle Siefering, Bill Akason, Cheryl Lockwood, Calvin Bandstra, Emily Russell, Ann Fender, Julie Hansen, Dave Dixon, Mark Tennison, and Cal and Marilyn Van Arkel.

“A lot of research goes into getting the fun and interesting facts that we’re going to have on these for the community and visitors,” said Brower.

Lyle Siefering and Mahaska Title have been integral parts in researching the change of ownership on the buildings. “It’s no small undertaking,” said Brower.

John Jacobs, a local historian, has helped the project find missing pieces of information about the structures.

“Thank you so much to everyone who is helping to make this possible,” said Brower. “I really feel that this Oskaloosa building historical marker project is a fabulous example of what we can accomplish in our community when we all work together.”

Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutuzfeldt spoke next. “This is the sort of thing that’s a celebration in and of its own.”

“Everybody that’s here today, you’re sharing in a little piece of Oskaloosa’s history, and so I want to thank you for that,” added Krutzfeldt. “Take a look at the names in the program that’s given out today. This is truly an A team of people that are working for this historical marker.”

“We’re also celebrating a bit of Oskaloosa history, but it’s also testimony that you’re taking the time to show your appreciation for the time and effort that people are putting into this,” said Krutzfeldt. “Thank you very much for being here.”

Oskaloosa firefighter and fire station historian Mark Tennison spoke lastly about the project. Tennison was the one who found not only images of the station over time but worked on preparing the information for the website and marker.

Tennison said that the Oskaloosa fire station is one of the oldest, continuously working fire stations west of the Mississippi. The city of Dubuque claims to be the oldest continuously working station with their building dating to 1904.

Project volunteers pose with the new plaque at Thursday’s announcement.

Oskaloosa’s current station was built in 1909 and added on to in 2017. “It’s continuously been run” since it’s opening. “We are still using it obviously. Even with the new station, we’re still using the old station.”

The Oskaloosa Fire Department can trace its history back to 1871.

“We as a fire department, we want to thank Ann and Cornie at B&B Bedding. We are the first marker, and I think they paid for the original one to get it going,” said Tennison.

“I look forward to the history on the chamber website of all the other buildings,” added Tennison.

After that, Tennison removed the cloth that was draped over the brass marker, revealing the plaque.

Other buildings that are part of the initial phase of historical markers include: Iowa Masons Benevolent Society building (Hawkeye Real Estate), Malcolm building (Pizza Ranch/Trolley Place), Frankel Building (Smokey Row), The Oskaloosa Savings Bank (Book Vault), The Centennial Block Building (Town Square Dental), The Iowa Building, Mahaska County Courthouse, and The Stapp Building.

You can learn more about the buildings by visiting http://www.oacdg.org/history/.