Waukon, the seat of justice of Allamakee County, is
an interior town, it's location being near the center
of the county. It is eighteen miles southwest of
Lansing and twenty-eight northwest of McGregor, on
the Mississippi and is situated on a fine rolling
prairie in the midst of one of the best farming
districts of the state. The prairies adjoining are
rolling, fertile and beautiful, the ravines and
streams being skirted with timber, and the farms, for
the most part, well improved.
The town is regularly laid out, with straight and
broad streets, adorned plentifully with shade trees
in the vicinity of the more retired residences and
public buildings. The business part of the town
presents a compact and substantial appearance. The
residences are mostly painted white and the grounds
and gardens, many of them ornate and beautified with
shrubbery, are enclosed with neat fences, and display
an air of taste and refinement. The Court House,
Public School Building, and several of the churches
and stores, are of brick, and are sightly and
substantial in their style of architecture. Several
elevated points within the limits of the town afford
fine views of the adjoining country, and around the
outskirts are seen, spread out, farms, orchards and
nurseries. The two leading nurseries of this section
of Iowa are located in the environs of the town -
those of D.W. Adams and D. & C. Barnard, the
latter containing over 300,000 apple trees.
FIRST SETTLEMENT
The first settlement of Waukon was made in the Fall
of 1849 by G.C. Shattuck, who occupied the land now
covered by the village. Mr. Shattuck came from
Indiana and is now residing in Kansas. It is said
that seven unfailing springs welling up through the
green turf of the prairie on the town site first
brought the immigrant to this spot. At all events,
the village is well supplied with pure spring water.
Mr. Shattuck deeded forty acres of land to the county
on condition that the county seat should be located
here. The town was platted and recorded by Allamakee
County, December 1, 1853.
The first stock of goods was opened in the town in
September, 1854 by A. J. Hersey, formerly of the
state of Maine. He built the house which, since
enlarged, is now the Mason House, in the front room
of which he opened the first store. L.T. Woodcock and
D.W. Adams opened a stock of goods the same year in
the building now occupied as the National Hotel.
Scott Shattuck kept the first hotel in a house now
owned by G.N. Manch, opposite the National. The first
school house was built near where the Catholic Church
now stands, in 1854, and the first church in the
place was the Presbyterian, now standing.
BUSINESS
Since the location of the county seat here in 1858,
the place has increased with healthy growth. The
population is about 1,000. The chief manufactures are
a steam saw-mill, grist mill, agricultural implement
manufactory, with wagon-makers, blacksmiths,
shoemakers, harnessmakers, etc. etc. to supply the
demand of the extensive farming country. There are
two drug stores, ten dry goods and grocery stores,
four millinery shops, two hardware stores, one
jeweller's shop, one boot and shoe store, three
groceries, one printing office, four lawyers'
offices, six blacksmith shops, five wagon and
agricultural implement shops, one agricultural
warehouse, one cabinet shop, two shoemakers' shops,
one butcher shop, one cigar manufactory, one brewery,
one photograph gallery, two carpenter shops, one
livery stable, one bank, four practicing physicians,
one harness shop, and real estate and insurance
business.
In 1859, the shipping of hogs and cattle commenced at
this point, and has steadilly increased, so that this
has become an important branch of business. The
county has acquired the reputation of shipping as
find a class of hogs and cattle as any part of the
state.
HOTELS
There are two hotels in the place -the Mason House
and the National Hotel, both centrally and
conveniently located. Visitors and travelers will
find at both of them gental proprietors and the best
accommodations the place affords.
CHURCHES
The churches of the place are five in number, viz:
Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and Roman
Catholic. All have good buildings. The Methodists,
Baptists and Catholics have brick churches. The new
Catholic Church, not yet finished, will be, when
completed, the best church edifice in the county. The
Methodist and Baptist churches are also neat and
elegant structures.
PUBLIC GRADED SCHOOL
The building of this institution -a large three-story
brick edifice- was formerly erected for the purpose
of a college. It passed through several changes, and
finally, in 1869, was bought by the district for the
graded school of the town. The original cost of the
building was $8,000. It was purchased by the district
for $4,000. The building is well fitted up and
furnished for school purposes.
The school is divided into six departments running
from 1st Primary to High School. Six teachers are
employed. The number of pupils is about 300 - 100 in
the High School. Prof. J. Loughran, Principal; John
P. Raymond, 1st Assistant; 4 lady teachers. The
school has an apparatus for illustrating the natural
sciences. Board of Education: John Goodykoontz,
President; A.J. Rodger, Secretary.
NEWSPAPER
The Waukon Standard, an eight-page weekly,
Republican in politics, was started by Charles W.
McDonald in January, 1868. In May following it was
purchased by A.M. May and conducted under the firm
name of R.L. Hayward & Co. until April, 1869,
when the firm was changed to James H. Braydon &
Co., Mr. May remaining editor. Mr. May assumed entire
control in August, 1869. In April following, the form
of the paper was changed to eight pages. January 1,
1870, E.M. Hancock bought an interest in it, the firm
becoming A.M. May & Co., till August, 1872. May
& Hamstreet followed till June 1, 1873 when Mr.
Hancock purchased a half interest, since which the
proprietors have been May & Hancock purchased a
half interest, since which the proprietors have been
May & Hancock. The paper is a well-edited and
influential journal, with a good circulation, and has
connected with it an enterprising-job office.
