Keokuk County Historical Society and Museum

07/11/2025

Browse Sigourney Newspapers Online! From 1860-2011
The Keokuk County Historical Society is proud to announce that with the generous donations & support of community & others across the country that the Sigourney Newspapers are now available to view FREE Online from 1860-2011! https://sigourney.historyarchives.online/home

05/08/2025

Early 1900's What Cheer photo donated by Alicia Owens . Several of her McCracken ancestors were Modern Woodman of America. Thank you for your donation Alicia.

04/24/2025

Inside the Keokuk County Court house, photos by Iowa Scenic Views By Foot in 2023.

Inside the Keokuk Courthouse

02/22/2024

Please join the Keokuk County Historical Society FB group. A place were Keokuk County history & info can be shared, along with it allowing members to post & share their history! https://www.facebook.com/groups/keokukcountyhistoricalsociety

Historical Society & Museum- Wed & Thurs.
Open 9-2:00 (in winter)
402 East Elm Street , Sigourney, IA
Phone: 1 641-622-3005
Email: [email protected]

01/19/2024

South Ward School, Sigourney, Iowa

12/19/2023

It's Christmas in Sigourney!

10/14/2023

Janetown- old mining town that was 1 mile north of What Cheer. 1948 History found at the Keokuk County Historical Society and Museum .

10/12/2023

The OPEN HOUSE is over, but there is still so much to see at Keokuk County Historical Society and Museum in Sigourney. Open Wed & Thurs 9-3

10/10/2023

Ross Smith Wheeler (3 Apr 1859 - 25 Sep 1902) 1859
born in Sandy Creek, West Virginia
1872
moves to Iowa, age 13
1877
begins studying photography at West Liberty, IA and area
1878
opens first studio in West Liberty, IA
1880
US census as artist at West Branch, Cedar, IA
1881 Oct - 1898
operates studio in What Cheer, IA
1898
elected county auditor of Keokuk County, IA
1900
US census as county auditor, Sigourney, Keokuk, Iowa
1902
dies at age 43 in Sigourney, Iowa
This cabinet card would have been finished between about 1881 and 1898.
Ross Smith Wheeler was the brother of William R Wheeler who worked in Wiliamsburg, IA, just 35 miles from What Cheer, IA http://cabinetcardphotographers.blogspot.com/2017/09/ross-smith-wheeler.html

10/10/2023

1897-1898. Keswick school
Keswick, Keokuk Co, Iowa