Oskaloosa in Mahaska County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Stapp's Building
Victorian Queen Anne architectural style
— 1892 —
November 5, 2023
1. Stapp's Building Marker
Dr. Warren Nugent, chief railroad surgeon with Iowa Central Railroad, built the building that housed the J.H. Pickett Drugstore, in 1892. He spared no expense in the richly detailed building both inside and out.
It was three degrees below zero at 10 o'clock Monday morning, the wind was knifing in from the north at 30 miles an hour, snow was piled around the old gold-domed bandstand, and the plate glass windows of Gale Stapp's Purity Drug Store were coated with ice. But inside, ...A New York Times article in 1988 featured Oskaloosa "Movers and Shakers" who met daily over coffee at Stapp's Drug to solve local and world problems!
J. H. Pickett, a Civil War veteran, opened the first business in this building, a drug store. He was there such a long time that the location became known as "Pickett's Corner."
Gale Stapp continued the same tradition on this corner, operating a drug store from 1950 to 1989, which is why it is known as the Stapp's Building today. The picture above showcases the 7 Oriel windows on the west side that compliment the massive Turret on the corner. These features were not common on commercial structures, demonstrating how the original owner went to great lengths to create a signature building.
The rest of the story...www.oasdg.org/history
Corner
this page online
Inscription: J.H. Pickett Family Chemist, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa Historic District
Erected 2021.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 41° 17.727′ N, 92° 38.622′ W. Marker is in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in Mahaska County. Marker is at the intersection of High Avenue East and North 1st Street, on the right when traveling west on High Avenue East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 High Ave E, Oskaloosa IA 52577, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. IMB Soc. Building (a few steps from this marker); Mahaska County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Woman's Relief Corps War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Limestone Blocks and Gargoyles (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centennial Block Building (about 300 feet away); Oskaloosa City Park Band Stand (about 300 feet away); Spanish Torpedo (about 300 feet away); Mahaska (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oskaloosa.
Also see . . .
1. Stapp Building - Oskaloosa Historical Building Markers | Mahaska Chamber.
November 5, 2023
2. Stapp's Building & Marker
2. Virtual Presentation of the “Stapps Building” Historical Marker - Oskaloosa News | Oskaloosa News. (Submitted on November 18, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2023. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2023.
