Historical Markers and War Memorials in Iola, Kansas
Iola is the county seat for Allen County
Iola is in Allen County
Allen County(60) ► ADJACENT TO ALLEN COUNTY Anderson County(5) ► Bourbon County(55) ► Coffey County(19) ► Linn County(65) ► Neosho County(28) ► Wilson County(17) ► Woodson County(5) ►
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On Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) east of South Street, on the left when traveling west.
A.W. Beck was responsible for the development of the buildings on east Madison from Jefferson to South Avenues (viewed on the other side of this sign). Mr. Beck was an instrumental business leader from 1870 to 1928. He brought many new ideas and . . . — — Map (db m83701) HM
On Jackson Street at North Street, on the right when traveling west on Jackson Street.
This building was located at the corner of North Street and Jackson Avenue. It was torn down to accommodate the construction of a new City Hall. Although it says Andrews Auto store, it was said that he had everything, if he could find it. — — Map (db m83602) HM
On Washington Street near Madison Avenue (U.S. 54), on the left when traveling north.
Frederick Funston, five feet four and slightly built, went from this farm to a life of amazing adventure. Youthful exploring expeditions in this country were followed by two years in the Arctic from which he returned down the Yukon river 1,500 miles . . . — — Map (db m53285) HM
On Jefferson Avenue north of East Street, on the left when traveling south.
Dr. O.L. Garlinghouse was believed to be ahead of his time in his medical practice. His office was equipped with x-ray and electrotherapy and was located in the building in the photo on the other side of this sign. — — Map (db m83549) HM
On Jackson Street east of North Street, on the left when traveling east.
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Notice Iola's 1st horse-drawn ambulances and hearse in front of Culbertson's building. The top floor, as well as the west entrance on the bottom was used for Culbertson's mortuary business, and the east side was an art . . . — — Map (db m83588) HM
On Jackson Street at North Street, on the left when traveling east on Jackson Street.
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The YMCA was built in this block in 1907. It featured an indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, and various sporting amenities. The cost of upkeep led to the building being torn down.
[Bottom photo . . . — — Map (db m83599) HM
On Madison Avenue east of South Street, on the right when traveling east.
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This picture was taken in the early 50's looking east from the Madison Avenue and South Street intersection. Businesses on the block at that time were Cooksey Drug, JC Penney Co., Hoover Drug, Dr. Philip W. Waugh, . . . — — Map (db m83699) HM
On Jefferson Avenue north of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
EP Brigham was an entrepreneur in Iola in the late 1800s. He owned various businesses throughout Iola that sold anything from hay, to hardware, to groceries, to china. Brigham started his first business as a fresh butcher where he sold quail that . . . — — Map (db m83543) HM
On Washington Street north of West Street, on the right when traveling south.
These women were some of the first ladies of Iola. In the 1800s, they established the first Iola Public Library, located on the second floor of the L.L. Northrup Banking House.
Pictured front row: Mrs. A.W. Beck, Hazel Bowlus (Tom's sister) . . . — — Map (db m83612) HM
On Washington Street north of Madison Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
At the request of L.L. Northrup, Fred Horton came to Iola to drill the oil and gas wells of Allen County. Horton's office was located in the back of what is now the Allen County Historical Museum at the south end of this block. — — Map (db m83650) HM
On Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) west of South Street, on the right when traveling east.
George A. Bowlus started the Bank of Allen County which was the second bank in Iola, located on this block between South Street and Washington Avenue. George was one of several business men who was instrumental in paying for the trolley tracks that . . . — — Map (db m83672) HM
On Jackson Street at Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Jackson Street.
Granny Cowden was believed to have been the 1st white woman in Kansas. You can visit her grave in the Civil War section at the Iola Cemetery west of town on Highway 54. You can also find out more about her in the Allen County Historical Museum at . . . — — Map (db m83584) HM
On Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) at Washington Street, on the left when traveling west on Madison Avenue.
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This photo was taken in 1910 when the Ringling Bros. Circus performers and animals paraded around town. At that time, the circus drew a huge crowd.
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This is the intersection of Madison . . . — — Map (db m83665) HM
On Jefferson Avenue at Madison Avenue (U.S. 54), on the right when traveling north on Jefferson Avenue.
Iola Colborn was the wife of Josiah Colborn, one of the founders of Iola. During a town meeting, a nomination was made to name the town after her. Mr. and Mrs. Colborn owned land from the town square to the river. Iola gave birth to the first . . . — — Map (db m83517) HM
On Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) west of Jefferson Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
This 1907 picture of the old Iola Kiosk, located on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn, displayed weather data for many years and was also used as a town bulletin board. The structure contained about 3,300 pounds of cast iron and about 250 . . . — — Map (db m83716) HM
On Jefferson Avenue at Madison Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Jefferson Avenue.
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Looking west on Madison Avenue, you can see the street trolley cars and the horse and buggies. The architecture of the buildings remains the same 110 years later.
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The Iola State Bank . . . — — Map (db m83519) HM
On Jefferson Avenue south of Jackson Street, on the left when traveling south.
1859 was a monumental year for John Walter Scott. He was elected president of the 1st Iola Town Company, was a county commissioner, and was a member of the legislature. Each of the 60 plus town company members had to make a substantial . . . — — Map (db m83554) HM
On Jackson Street at North Street, on the right when traveling west on Jackson Street.
Josiah Colborn was one of the founding fathers and first businessmen of Iola. He was the husband of Iola Colborn, Iola's namesake. — — Map (db m83596) HM
On Jackson Street, on the left when traveling east on Jackson Street.
L.L. Northrup owned the first Iola bank and a huge lumber company. These businesses encompassed almost the entire block. He was instrumental in getting the railroads and financing the growth of Iola. — — Map (db m83608) HM
On Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) west of South Street, on the left when traveling west.
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This picture was taken standing in the intersection of South Street & Madison Avenue, looking west. Notice all the different forms of transportation represented in the picture: walking, bicycle, cars, tracks from . . . — — Map (db m83681) HM
On Washington Street north of Madison Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Frederick Funston was born in Ohio and moved to Kansas with his parents in the spring of 1868 at the age of 2. Nicknamed "Fearless Freddy," he was of slight build - be sure to check out the life size statue in front of the Funston Home and Museum . . . — — Map (db m83656) HM
This memorial in memory of
Union soldiers who fell in battle
was dedicated on May 31, 1909, and
maintained by McCook Post No. 51, G.A.R.
In 1998 the statue was refurbished and
a new pedestal was erected. On June 2, 2001
this Monument . . . — — Map (db m34600) WM
On Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) east of Washington Street, on the right when traveling east.
Nimrod Hankins came to Cofachique, Allen County's first settlement and county seat, in 1855 when KS was still a territory. Enlisted into Company E the 9th KS Calvary [sic - Cavalry] when the Civil War broke out and rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant . . . — — Map (db m83657) HM
On Jefferson Avenue north of East Street, on the right when traveling north.
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This building was owned by Dr. O.L. Garlinghouse who had a medical practice on the second floor. Notice the awnings are on the side of the building facing the afternoon sun. Air conditioning was non-existent at this . . . — — Map (db m83548) HM
On Jefferson Avenue north of East Street, on the right when traveling north.
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These buildings were developed after 1910. During this period, there were a number of meat markets throughout Iola. With the lack of refrigeration, people had to buy fresh meat daily.
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On Jackson Street west of North Street, on the right when traveling west.
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On the corner is Northrup's second bank building, which replaced Northrup's Lumber Yard that encompassed most of the block. Fire destroyed the bank in January of 1949.
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On the east side of . . . — — Map (db m83606) HM
On Washington Street north of West Street, on the left when traveling north.
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Pictured here is Iola's 1st bank: L.L. Northrup Banking House. It was one of the 1st buildings on the square. The second story housed the 1st Iola Library.
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An early 1900s view of . . . — — Map (db m83617) HM
On Jefferson Avenue south of East Street, on the left when traveling south.
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East Side Cafe became Harts Lunch by the 1940s and was a local teenage hangout. Both restaurants were a favorite for homemade hamburgers and pies.
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Originally, this building had a carriage . . . — — Map (db m83545) HM
On Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) west of Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
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This photo was taken looking north on Jefferson Avenue. The building on the corner was the 2nd building for the Allen County Courthouse in Iola. Notice the brick streets. Iola housed numerous brick plants during this . . . — — Map (db m83715) HM
On Washington Street south of West Street, on the right when traveling south.
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This view is looking north on Washington Avenue from Madison Avenue. These buildings are made of stone and wood, as many buildings were prior to the many brick plants of Iola. Notice the wood plank sidewalks. This gave . . . — — Map (db m83648) HM
On Washington Street south of Jackson Street, on the left when traveling north.
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T.B. Shannon is pictured on the left. He was a very innovative businessman of the times. His first business was a hardware store, which sold merchandise of all kinds. Through the years, his inventory included everything . . . — — Map (db m83610) HM
When the town of
Iola
was organized in
January, 1859
Josiah E. Colborn
was one of the founders
who named the town after
Mrs. Colburn
whose given name was
Iola
She and her husband rest here
This tablet is . . . — — Map (db m34607) HM
On Washington Street north of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
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This photo was taken in the 1800s of the 2 block area on the south side of the square before the first courthouse was constructed in the center.
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1900 photo is taken of a pre-celebration . . . — — Map (db m83651) HM
On Cottonwood Street, on the left when traveling north.
1917 - 1918
The American Legion
In memory of those whose final resting place
is known to God alone
U.S. Army
James E. Cook 1944 • Rex L. Johnson 1944
A. W. Redding Jr. 1943 • Joseph H. Wood 1942
U.S. Navy
Howard N. Belvoir 1942 . . . — — Map (db m72039) WM
