Waucoma Historical Society

10/09/2026

June 15, 1910 | Waucoma, IA

Postcard addressed to Miss Verna Smith
Alta Vista, Iowa

Arrived here this noon. Started to Luce’s for dinner. Saw G. Stone and Geneva ready to go to Fayette and Geneva made me promise to stay over Sunday or she wouldn’t go. So don’t look for me until you see us coming.

L.L.S.

09/14/2026

🍂🦃 HUNTER’S DINNER IS COMING! 🦃🍂

The Waucoma Historical Society invites you to join us for our annual Hunter’s Dinner!

📅 Saturday, October 31st from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Waucoma Event Center

Enjoy a delicious homemade meal featuring:
🦃 Turkey & Dressing
🥔 Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
🥕 Vegetable
🍒 Cranberry Salad
🥧 Homemade Pie/Dessert

🎟️ Tickets: $15 In Advance | $16 At the Door
Ages 5–10: $7 | Ages 4 & under: FREE

Carryouts available!

Tickets are available in Waucoma at Bank Iowa or by calling 563-776-6041.

🍁 Make plans to join us for a great meal and support the Waucoma Historical Society!

🏛️ Museum will also be open from 10:30 AM–2:00 PM.

Hunter's Dinner - Fundraiser for the Waucoma Historical Society

09/11/2026

🏡 Ever Wonder Why Jackson Junction Has Such a Large Land Area? 🚂

Jackson Junction may be a tiny town in population, but it has a surprisingly large footprint! So, why?

The community grew around the railroad junction, where trains stopped to switch and transfer passengers. The railroad arrived in 1883, and the settlement eventually became known as Jackson Junction.

But the real reason for its large boundaries goes back to an old Iowa law known as the Mulct Law. At the time, saloons could legally operate only within incorporated towns.

Jackson Junction didn’t have enough residents to meet the population requirement for incorporation, so local leaders got creative! They extended the town boundaries far out into the surrounding countryside, bringing enough residents into the proposed town limits to qualify for incorporation. The town took in about 3,840 acres—roughly six square miles—to qualify for incorporation under the Mulct Law.

And that decision left Jackson Junction with a unique distinction: one of the largest incorporated towns in Winneshiek County by land area (second to Decorah) —despite having a very small population!

So the next time you travel through Jackson Junction, remember that those wide town boundaries are a little piece of local history dating back more than a century. ❤️

09/02/2026

The Waucoma Historical Society is proud to support our town and the projects that help make Waucoma a wonderful place to live and visit! ❤️

If you are interested in supporting the Waucoma Booster Club and their park equipment fundraiser, we encourage you to reach out and consider making a donation.

All donations will be recognized on a new Park Sponsor Sign, and gifts can be made in memory of a loved one or on behalf of your family.

Together, we can invest in our community and create a place that children and families will enjoy for generations to come.

💙 THANK YOU, WAUCOMA! 💙

A huge thank you to the Waucoma American Legion Auxiliary No. 189 and the Waucoma Historical Society for each donating $250 toward our new playground equipment! 🛝🌳

We truly appreciate your generosity and, most importantly, your continued commitment to making Waucoma a better place. Your support of this project is an investment in our community and in the generations of children and families who will enjoy our new playground for years to come.

08/29/2026

Main Street | Waucoma, Iowa

Postcard donated by Raymond Hack

07/29/2026

Waucoma Mill in the early 1900s

This photograph was found in the W.H. Stone home which can be seen off in the distance. Donated by Tom & Brenda Sloan.

07/22/2026

🎖️Waucoma resident is awarded for her heroism 🎖️

In 1924, Cassie Brayton received the Theodore N. Vale award for heroism in the line of duty. With the disasterous fire that effected several businesses in Waucoma the previous year, Cassie refused to leave her post. She remained at her switchboard to call nearby fire departments from nearby towns, while dealing with the sweltering heat from the fire. This national award is given to Bell telephone operators and she was the only one in Iowa receiving such an award as of 1955, although not working for the Bell company.

Mrs. Brayton was a local telephone operator here for 33 years, retiring at the age of 81 years. She and her husband, John, lived in Waucoma for the remainder of their years.

(Photo and award donated to the museum by Steve Perry)

07/21/2026

A devastating fire ripped through the Waucoma business district on July 20, 1923 destroying several key businesses in town, including one of the largest industries in Northeast Iowa at the time ---Webster Brothers Manufacturing Co.

Other businesses effected included: Theo. Perry & Sons building, J Greteman & Co Garage and Standard Oil Co. Station.

The estimated loss was $125,000 (a tremendous amount in 1923), and the businesses were only partially insured.

Despite the devastation, the community came together immediately. Neighboring towns—including New Hampton & West Union—sent firefighters, equipment, and assistance. The people and farmers of Alpha, St. Lucas, Jackson Junction, Calmar, Lawler and Hawkeye all helped to keep the fire from spreading and causing more destruction.

The Waucoma Sentinel newspaper (posted in comments) praised the incredible support from surrounding communities and highlighted the determination of Waucoma residents to rebuild. It also reported efforts to raise funds for a new fire truck to better protect the town from future disasters.

It's a powerful reminder that while the fire changed Waucoma forever, it also showcased the resilience, generosity, and community spirit that helped the town recover.

07/17/2026

Such a wonderful addition to our town✨

07/07/2026

Waucoma High School Class of 1899 🖤

The descendants of the McGovern-Scallan families stopped at the museum during the week of the Lawler Irish Fest with a donation of family photographs including this one with Anna McGovern (center, front row).

There was much excitement for them to see items from the Scallan family that are displayed in the museum, including a mantle clock, side table and table linen, and the shoe forms of James Scallan who was a cobbler.

Interested in viewing the museum buildings? Send us a message!