We want to thank Mahaska Chamber and Visit Pella for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Spring Surprises

Our visit to central Iowa was planned for the middle of Spring, which meant everything was coming back to life. Throughout both cities, we found signs of rebirth, after our harsh winter. The sounds of birds chirping greeted us each morning. Flower beds were bursting out with a wide spectrum of colors, inviting us to slow down and take it all in. This was certainly the season to enjoy all of the delights that can be found throughout the region.

Short-term Samples

This visit to Oskaloosa and Pella was our first excursion into Dutch culture. Our adventure began in downtown Oskaloosa but had expanded to Pella. We had quickly discovered that bakeries are extremely popular with the Dutch. The aromas wafting from each of these shops tempted us each morning. When we could no longer resist, we dropped in for a look-see. Of course, that turned into a need to sample their wares to find out why so many people are eager to visit. The cases filled with pastries, cookies, and Dutch letters were too much to pass up. A small sampling made its way into our possession, but only temporarily. A nearby park bench was all we needed to complete an impromptu breakfast.

Starting Down the Charcuterie Trail

We knew that the pastries were not made for long-term storage, but there was one item on our list that was. Cheese-making has been a mainstay of Dutch culture for centuries. In fact, the first mention of Dutch-made Gouda cheese dates back to the 1100s. We are betting that they have it down to an art by now. To create a charcuterie trail, one certainly needs to have some cheese. The creamy and sweet flavor of Gouda pairs well with just about every other food we can think of, so it had to play a prominent part on our board. A visit to Frisian Farms Cheese House ensured that we were getting some of the best in the nation.

They Take Their Cheese Seriously

At the Pella Tulip Time Festival, we would learn just how seriously they take their cheese. Part of the demonstrations includes a little background on the Dutch cheese markets. While buyers and sellers haggled over the prices, teams stood ready to transport the wheels to a weighing house. What appears to be a bunch of pomp is actually based upon centuries of tradition. One of the oldest Dutch cheese markets has been in business since 1593. Every step of the process has been repeated over and over by generations of Dutch citizens. Watching the demonstration showed us how important Gouda cheese is to Dutch culture.

Don’t Mind if We Wine

With our cooler stocked up on Gouda, we knew that some wine would make an excellent beverage choice. Just down the road from the cheese factory, we found Tassel Ridge Winery. Located between Oskaloosa and Pella, this is one of the largest wineries in Iowa. Inside their tasting room, we found a wide range of wines to choose from. The owners were on hand to help us select the perfect wines to pair with our charcuterie trail items. One bottle of red and one of white would cover all of the bases. Back to the car to head toward Pella for more supplies.

Festival Food

Our time in Pella was focused on the Tulip Time Festival. Like most events of this type, they had a nice collection of food trucks and tents. Many were selling the standard festival foods, and a few of the local clubs were offering Dutch dishes. After surveying the options, we chose one that had some items that were new to us. A Pella Bologna & Smoked Gouda Sandwich brought some pleasant flavors to our taste buds. We also sampled a stick of Frikandel, which is a Dutch version of a meat stick. A combination of beef, chicken, and pork is seasoned with allspice, nutmeg, and other seasonings. Our dessert was called Dutch Delight, which features the almond flavor so readily available in Dutch baked goods.

Tastes of the Heartland

We collected some more supplies at shops around the downtowns of Oskaloosa and Pella. With a cooler filled full of goodies, we could hardly wait to sample our charcuterie trail findings. Back home, we create our first board made with the creamy cheeses we had collected during our visit. It also had some Blue Cheese Bologna that we found at In’t Veld Meat Market. Delicately decorated chocolates were found at Van Veen, while the Dutch cookies and crackers came from Ulrich Meat Market. We sprinkled in some fresh fruit and veggies and popped the cork on a bottle of Iowa wine.

Creating Memories

As we continue to evolve our travel itineraries, we find adding new adventures keeps it all fresh. The idea of a Charcuterie Trail gave us a special purpose during our time in Oskaloosa and Pella. It was like a scavenger hunt that ended with a delicious meal at the end. Definitely a win-win for us. This was also a way to make memories that go beyond the adult education that we gained at the various stops during our visit. Since we all have to eat to survive, adding this culinary experience to our agenda made our excursion extra delightful.

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We want to thank the Mahaska Chamber and Oskaloosa Main Street for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

First Feelings

Oskaloosa is roughly a 4-hour drive from our home in Kansas City. Heading off after a day of work meant that we wouldn’t arrive until well after dinnertime. When we rolled into town, we were anxious to explore. Unfortunately, the failing daylight signaled that most of the businesses were closed for the day. Having just spent the evening in our car, we still wanted to stretch our legs, so a walk around the square was in order. Here is where we spotted the statue of Chief Mahaska, which is where this region gets its name. His leadership, during the settlement of Iowa, became a symbol of the possibility for peace between the natives and settlers.

Finding Plenty of Local Love

Being early risers, we were anxious to start our day downtown. The area chamber had arranged for us to stay at a new Airbnb located on the downtown square. This made our exploration all the more convenient. Just a short walk away we found our morning breakfast stop. Julie’s Homestyle Café was already hopping with business when we arrived. We could see immediately that this was a hangout for the locals. What a great way to start our day.  After a hearty breakfast, we spent time chatting with some of the locals, including Julie herself. This is one of our favorite parts about exploring downtowns. Getting a chance to learn about the history and culture of the places we visit from the people who live it every day.

Exploring Osky Alley

Now that our bellies were full, it was time for a little more coffee. On our way to our next stop, we happened upon the Osky Alley. Throughout the downtowns we have visited, we have seen a repeating theme. The cities that truly embrace their space are always looking for creative ways to recapture it. In Oskaloosa, they have completed a beautification project that turned an ordinary alley into a destination. To make sure that visitors and locals know the history of the city, they have added plaques that tell the story behind each of the historic structures found around the downtown.

Unexpected Find

Moving into the Alley, we discovered that they have decorated the space with a mix of local art and historic displays. What an amazing way to engage with those visiting the space. When you visit Oskaloosa, be sure to set aside some time to explore this place. It really helps give a base background on the city. They have also included a good selection of seating, which pairs perfectly with the nearby coffee shop.

Caffeine Crew

Even with our bellies full from breakfast, we were still in the mood for some more java. Smokey Row Coffee was the perfect place to satisfy our urges. The inside of this place has a fun vibe and their drink selection is impressive. After making our choices, we headed out to do some exploring of the park across the street. The sunny day was quickly heating up, so we decided to pop in some of the locally-owned shops.

Shopped ’til we Dropped

Around the downtown square are a collection of boutique-style shops. Whether you are looking for the latest styles, some new shoes, cosmetics, or even home décor, you will find a place that has it. We loved the variety we found and every shopkeeper was so inviting. It is this opportunity to talk with the locals that make this portion of our day downtown extra special.

Grand Repurposing

While each shop had its own special touches, it was Book Vault that caught my attention. First off, I love to peruse bookstores. The only thing that can make it better is when it has an interesting backstory to the building. Well, this place hits it out of the park with uniqueness. The idea of repurposing an old bank into a bookstore was genius. Not only does the grandiose structure make a great backdrop, but they have even incorporated three vaults into their design.

Our Needed Sweets

It will probably come as no surprise that we sniffed out some sweet treats during our day downtown. When we landed in Oskaloosa, our path took us past a local ice cream stop that had drawn quite a crowd. Always on the lookout for a creamy delight, we pulled in and took our place in line. Sure enough, the delectable treats were well worth the wait and we felt they were a fitting reward for our recent drive. The next evening we changed it up a bit and sampled some fresh slices of pie at Tasos’ Steakhouse on the downtown square.

Close Comfort

Our lodging kept us right in the thick of our day downtown. This new Airbnb sits right on the north side of the square, so we were literally steps away from loads of eats, shopping, and entertainment. It made our excursions by foot so simple and we found the lodging had all of the necessary conveniences for travelers. The access to free parking was an added bonus.

Visiting the Outskirts

While our day was mostly dedicated to exploring the downtown, there was a stop that had to be seen just north of town. The Nelson Pioneer Farm pays homage to one of the early families to migrate to the Mahaska region. Having an opportunity to tour this complex of historic buildings was made all the more special with a guide in period dress. When you make your visit to Oskaloosa, you will want to bring the whole family to this stop. There is so much to see and learn about that it will provide plenty of road trip conversation material.

A Day Downtown

Exploring Oskaloosa reminded us how many great stories there are to uncover with a day downtown. We were excited to find some fun selfie spots, as well as a nice selection of local murals. While we only had one day to do our discovery, we feel like we were able to get a good feel for the vibe of the town. As we often find during our trips, the thing that made this visit so special was the locals. It never gets old meeting all of the kind souls that make up the fabric of a community. We are sure you will find the same results when you do your own exploring.

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We want to thank Mahaska Chamber and Nelson Pioneer Farm for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Character Tour

The Nelson Pioneer farm is located on the northeast corner of Oskaloosa. Coming from Ohio, they were seeking lands that would offer fresh, unfarmed soil. Their original claim of 160 acres more than doubled with subsequent purchases. These days, the living history museum occupies some of the original lands that the family pioneered. We arrived at the end of a tour by a local school group, so we found we had the place all to ourselves.  Margaret, the museum curator, welcomed us for our guided tour. Being all garbed up in period costumes helped paint the picture of life in the heartland in the 1800s.

The Homestead

Our first stop was to the brick home that the Nelsons completed about 10 years after their arrival. For the first few years, they lived life in a log cabin, much like many pioneers would have done. By the time this structure was completed, the family had grown to seven people. This would surely have made space tight in a small cabin. A building of this size would have been no easy feat in the mid-1800s. The stones for the foundation were quarried nearby, but they would have to wait for winter’s frozen ground to drag them into place. To produce the bricks needed for the exterior, the family constructed a kiln. The plentiful trees provided an abundance of building material for the interior, as they cleared the land for crops.

A True Time Capsule

On a previous excursion, we had learned about some of the unique ways municipalities taxed their residents. The idea of being charged by room, including closets seems a little far-fetched for us these days. While most would avoid this additional cost, the Nelson family embraced it as a way to show status. In this community, they were also taxed on the number of glass panes, but that didn’t stop the Nelsons from incorporating nearly 200 in their completed home. Throughout the period of the family’s stay in the home, they never added electricity or running water. The five-room home was heated using four fireplaces.

Modern Conveniences?

Today we have all of the modern conveniences in our kitchens. In the 1800s it would have been a much different story. Where the fireplaces would have been used to heat the homes during cold spells, having a fire in the house during the summer would have been brutal. Like most 1800s homes, a summer kitchen was built to cook meals during the temperate months. Storing food during the warm months would have been easier with this version of a dumbwaiter. A series of trays would be loaded with perishables, which could be lowered into a dry well. This would keep the food at a stable temperature and well away from the blistering summer heat.

The General Store

Margaret led us to a section of the farmstead that holds a series of buildings. Most of these have been moved here from nearby communities. We like that they were able to salvage these historic structures, which would have otherwise fallen into disrepair. The Mott General Store had originally sat in lacey, Iowa. Like many of these types of establishments, payments could be made in various forms. While cash was always accepted, some of their clients would barter or trade for the things they needed from the store.

Equipment Through the Ages

The other buildings teach visitors about other aspects of daily life in the heartland. We toured a schoolhouse, post office, scale house, blacksmith shop, lumber office, and even a voting house. As we collected information from our guide, it painted a picture of living in a farm community during the 1800s and early 1900s. Margaret led us past these historic buildings to a large warehouse. Inside we discovered a collection of farm equipment and vehicles that would have seen nearly daily usage in those days. When I spotted this wagon, I was immediately enamored with the witty saying painted on the outside. What a great advertisement tool for a traveling salesman.

Timely Display

Our visits to historic sites like the Nelson Pioneer Farm are more than fun, they are educational. The stories we hear and the backgrounds we discover help us fill in the voids that we either never learned or had forgotten over the years. Oftentimes, we see displays that stand as a stark reminder that current events are simply reflections of things that our forefathers faced in the past. Seeing a display about the various inoculations that families faced in the past help put our current pandemic situation in perspective. After all, even without the amazing advancements in medical knowledge, they were able to combat polio, whooping cough, measles, and other debilitating diseases.

Life in the Heartland

The Nelson Pioneer farm is too large to encompass in a single article. There are so many stories that are hidden within the walls of the buildings that dot the landscape. Margaret did a great job of detailing some of these, in the limited time we had available. It is easy to imagine a family spending hours exploring this place. After all, I haven’t even mentioned the barn, log cabin, sawmill, windmill, or the mule cemetery. They also have a model home from the community of Buxton, Iowa, which sat within the coal mining region of central Iowa. To learn more about life in the heartland, we suggest a visit to the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum. Be sure to tell Margaret that we sent you!

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