History of Richland
Richland Iowa, Keokuk County’s oldest town, was established in October, 1838 by it’s earliest settlers. Before the organization of Keokuk County, this portion of territory was actually a part of Washington County.
Richland’s significant pioneering achievements would include the county’s first court of law, the first post office and one of the first voting precincts.
One humorous note of history told is that the settlers suggested calling the town “Frog Town”, following a torrential downpour and days of standing water, but chose Richland after the sun came out and exposed the richness of the dried soil. Prior C. Woodward is credited with laying out the town as it is mapped today on June 16, 1841!
Timeline
1844 First store opened
1844 First telephone
1850 First store building erected
1871 First newspaper printed
1896 Union State Bank organized
1902 First telephone franchise established
1915 Town provided with electricity
1925 Richland High School built
1927 Pavement and hard surfaced roads constructed
1952 Water system installed/Municipal well drilled
1961 Richland Schools consolidate with Pekin School District
1975 Sewer System installed
1976 Current Richland Public Library built
1983 Alumni Park developed
1988 Richland celebrates its Sesquicentennial (150 years)
1992 Water treatment plant built
1999 Propane explosion kills seven (six survivors)
2000 New medical clinic built
2000 Richland Federal Savings locates (Federation Bank)
2004 Richland Opera House razed
2004 Panama Transfer Terminal built
2005 New municipal well drilled
2008 Dental and Behavioral Health services wing added to River Hills Medical Clinic
2009 100th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration
RICHLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Richland Historical Society was formed on October 15,2007. This all-inclusive organization’s voluntary membership is dedicated to the appreciation, education, and preservation of Richland’s (and it’s surrounding community) history, heritage, and culture. Our purpose is to promote and support the identification, study, collection, and preservation of documents, artifacts, memorabilia and information for posterity.
If you are a native “Richlandite” and would like to become involved with other historical enthusiasts, please call, write, or e-mail the city of Richland. (Contact information is available on this web-site click here).
Please join us!!