A While Ago

By CHUCK RUSSELL
The Oskaloosa Herald

OSKALOOSA July 18, 2008 10:46 am

— This picture is of the “Burnett House” hotel taken in about 1880. It was one of the many overnight places travelers could stay on the stagecoach route through Oskaloosa. It was managed by a Mr. Willey and was located on the comer of South First Street and Second Avenue East. When they left the Burlington Road southeast of Oskaloosa and before leaving town on the Pella road, going northwest, the stage would service the many hotels including the “Burnett House.” The “Burnett” was torn down in the 1980s and at present there is a parking lot it its place. It’s just across the street west of the Elk’s Lodge and across the street south from the fire station. It was built in 1857 by David Needham and was called the “Needham House.” At one time, it was used by Jack Brown as a residence and a horse hospital (today it would probably be called an auto repair shop). One of the last uses was a freight depot for the old Iowa Central railroad. Thanks to Mabel Daniels for her account in the big Mahaska County History Book because much information was taken from it. This two-story frame hotel has interesting architecture with the roof line and balcony. The hotel had 30 rooms and probably had a stable in the rear for transient stages and their horses. Shown left to right: Ora Hilliard holding the horse, Jim Little (could that have been Homer Little’s dad?), Mr. Brown, (the small white object with a skirt next to Mr. Brown someone suggested it might be a fire plug. Since fire plugs don’t have skirts and two legs it must have been a little girl), next is Mr. Slatten, with another horse, and Reska Brown. On the balcony are Pearl and Daisy Flemming, and far left of them is either a large dog, a rocking horse or neither.
— Chuck Russell

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