Trails to the Past of Iowa is excepting any donations of genealogy materials that you may have such as marriage announcements, news articles, old obituaries, births, (you do not need the birth certificate) just the information, and biographies.  If you have any of these items please contact me Marie Miller the Iowa State Administrator.

Mahaska County was formed in February 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after Chief Mahaska (read about his life in the History Page) of the Iowa tribe. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.

The first courthouse was completed in January 1846. When a larger structure was required, the second courthouse was constructed in 1885-86, first being used on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844 and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846. On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). The first tracks of the Des Moines Valley Railroad were laid through the county in 1864.

Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County. During the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.

On Line Data

Cities     Barnes City     Beacon     Eddyville     Fremont     Keomah Village     Leighton     New Sharon     Oskaloosa     Rose Hill     University Park Unincorporated communities     Cedar     Hopewell     Indianapolis     Lacey Townships     Adams     Black Oak     Cedar     East Des Moines     Garfield     Harrison     Jefferson     Lincoln     Madison     Monroe     Pleasant Grove     Prairie     Richland     Scott     Spring Creek     Union     West Des Moines     White Oak

Mahaska County Court House

Adjacent counties
    Jasper County (northwest)
    Poweshiek County (north)
    Keokuk County (east)
    Wapello County (southeast)
    Monroe County (southwest)
    Marion County (west)

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