After completing a preliminary survey of the community to determine the historical and architectural structures in town for future preservation efforts, Iowa City Historian/consultant Jennifer Price gave a final report to the Osceola Historical Commission and members of the public last week.
The commission hired Price after receiving a Planning for Preservation grant. The commission voted to send the final results of the report to the State Historical Society.
During research of the community, Price said she found at least six historic themes present in the community and local architecture. According to Price, the themes are the patterns and trends in history by which a specific event, property or site is understood and its meaning (and significance) within history is made clear. Buildings that are 50 years old or older can be classified as historical, she said.
The themes provide a framework for making decisions about whether a building is eligible to be placed on the National Registry of Historical Places like the Osceola old Masonic building, she said.
“Subsequent survey projects will expand the six themes and may identify more,” said Price.
Themes
The first theme was the pre-railroad era, which occurred between 1851 and 1868, said Price. The town was originally established in 1851, she said. During that time the county courthouse was built. There were also some older homes identified as being built during that time frame, she said.
In 1868, the first railroad arrived in Osceola. The railroads connected Osceola to major markets, said Price.
“The railroads bring wealth, materials and fashion,” she said. “The railroad made a lot of people wealthy – businesses thrived.
The railroad era changed the shape, buildings and landscape of Osceola, she said. Price said she believes the railroad era will provide the largest inventory of historical structures in the community.
The railroad brought new building materials to the community. The homes built during that time have quite a bit of architectural detail and the houses became more grand, she said.
The next theme is agricultural market and community center, which was during the 1850s to 1960. This theme emphasized agriculture and how area farmers would come for market day and often stay in town for a concert. Osceola was a social and civic gathering place as the county seat, she said. Agricultural resources include implement stores and agriculture-related businesses, as well as barns and farmhouses within or near the city limits. Another resource is the Armour Creamery building at 117 E. Ayers St.
The progressive community theme ran from the 1900s to 1930 and was during what has been termed the “progressive era” when community services improved the quality of life, said Price. The progressive community included municipal services and amenities and public and private institutions. Some of these resources include the Osceola Public Library, Doc Dean’s Sanitarium, Dr. Harkin’s Hospital, Osceola Country Club, Osceola Post Office and West Lake dam.
The next theme is the highway crossroads, which symbolizes the intersection of Highways 34 and 69 in Osceola. Price said in the early days Highway 34 was known as Blue Grass Road and Highway 69 was known as the Jefferson Highway. The two highways intersect at what is now known as the “Four Corners,” intersection. Interstate 35 first came through the area in 1958 and 1959, she said.
The highway crossroads resources include service stations, tourists courts and early motels, auto dealerships and related businesses, she said.
The final theme identified by Price was post-World War II modernization from 1945 to 1960. Some of the events that occurred during that time frame include the construction of new water tower in 1958, Interstate 35 coming through Osceola in the late ‘50s, the opening of Clarke County Hospital in 1953 and the replacement of the original courthouse with a modern structure in 1956.
NRHP eligibility
During Price’s report she identified some buildings that may be potentially eligible for the National Register of Historical Places including the library, Dr. Conrad Rex Harken House at 601 S. Main, Lyric Theatre and Pritchert’s Opera House at 200 W. Jefferson St., as well as others.
Price said as the community seeks to identify its historical structures her advice is to begin surveying the courthouse square’s commercial district. Establishing the NRHP eligibility will determine whether a property will qualify for grants, tax credits and other financial assistance for preservation, she said.
Price said, as the commission and others look at the commercial district, there are some issues to keep in mind. She said commercial buildings tend to be more historically significant as a group than individually.
She said architectural styles of commercial buildings are less clear cut and exacerbated by frequent remodeling and updating. She recommended when photographing buildings for the project, to photograph the buildings from different angles.
After the meeting, Price took members of the public and preservation commission on a walking tour of the square. She said after spending time educating members of the commission and public about historical significance, and architecture she hopes they will be able to look at buildings within the community in another light.