Mahaska County, Iowa: History
Mahaska County was formed in February 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after chief Mahaska of the Iowa people. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.
The first courthouse was completed in January 1846. When a larger structure was required, the second courthouse was constructed in 1885–86, first being used on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile (ca. 2 km) east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846. On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). The first tracks of the Des Moines Valley Railroad were laid through the county in 1864.
Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County. During the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.