Oskaloosa — Population: 10,938
Pride, progress and tradition are Oskaloosa, Iowa's hallmark. Oskaloosa, a word
meaning the "last of the beautiful," is a town that has grown and changed
over the past 150 years but still preserves its charm. It is difficult to find anything
more beautiful than standing in fresh, white snow near Oskaloosa's historic bandstand
watching the annual Lighted Christmas Parade on a December evening. This magical
event, which attracts 15,000, was started by Main Street Oskaloosa, which was founded
in 1986 and is now part of the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group.
The Lighted Christmas Parade and the many activities supported by the community
add to the serious business of doing business in Oskaloosa, home of the "American
Waltz King" Fredrick Knight Logan, who composed the "Missouri Waltz."
From businesses that serve the community locally to businesses that serve communities
throughout the world, economic development goes hand-in-hand with the rich heritage
of Oskaloosa. Visit Oskaloosa!
Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group
124 North Market Street
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
phone: 641/672-2591
fax: 641/672-2047
e-mail: jsullivan@oacdg.org
Town History
Oskaloosa was named for the Indian Creek tribe princess Oskaloosa, who was captured
by Seminole Indians and married their chief. Oskaloosa means "last of the beautiful."
From 1844 to 1925, the land occupied by the new city was transformed from an uninhabited
virgin prairie to the county seat of Mahaska County, with a population of over 10,000.
Oskaloosa was incorporated in 1853.
Landmarks and Unique Local Features
Oskaloosa has 20 individual structures and three districts on the National Register
of Historic Places for a total of 180 historical sights. One hundred of these historic
beauties are located downtown, with another 36 nearby on the "Paradise Block."
- Mahaska County Courthouse - Completed in 1887, this is one of the
most impressive National Register properties in Oskaloosa.
- City Square Bandstand - Constructed in 1912, with a design by Frank
E. Wetherell and the inspiration of Charles Barnhouse, this unique structure also
is on the National Register.
- Chief Mahaska Statue - Built in Paris by Sherry E. Fry, who studied
Mahaska and his descendants. This statue, created in 1909, brought Fry great acclaim
in Europe.
- Centennial Building - This two-story brick building with three
storefronts was constructed in 1876 by the Bach family.
- Mahaska County State Bank Building - An 1853 building that stands
at the northwest corner of Market Street and First Avenue and served as a bank for
approximately 100 years.
Annual Events
- June - Art on the Square - Juried art and selected crafts are sold,
displayed and demonstrated at the city square, where food and activities for children
also are available.
- July/August - Sweet Corn Serenade - Carnival games, musical entertainment,
corporate games craft and product shows, tasty treats, and sweet corn attract 5,000
- 7,000 annually.
- November - Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Crowning of Main Street Young Ambassadors
- A special holiday ceremony held in the Penn Central Mall.
- December - Main Street Lighted Christmas Parade - Parade begins
at 7 p.m. This evening lighted parade entertains thousands as it marches through
historic downtown Oskaloosa and around Penn Central Mall. Pre-parade events include
living window display, home lighting contest, caroling, concessions, hundreds of
luminaries, soup suppers, and much more.
Low Interest Loan/Grant Programs & Commercial Property
For more information about available downtown commercial property and revolving
low interest loans, direct investment fund and facade grant programs for downtown
Oskaloosa business and property owners, contact the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development
Group at 641/672-2591 .
Local Links
Oskaloosa Chamber