Koshkonong Historical Museum, Koshkonong
February 2025
As a one-woman marketing machine, she is determined to boost attendance at the museum and bring Koshkonong new fame as the closest access to Grand Gulf State Park—if she could just convince the state or the county to pave that 3.2-mile-long gravel road that leads from the railroad track crossing in town to the entrance of the park.
Reed took on the challenge of refreshing the museum and boosting attendance first as a volunteer and now as part of her duties as city clerk. She recently moved her office to the museum, and she hopes to institute regular visiting hours soon. For now, folks can call for an appointment to tour the museum. Her dream is to make the museum the official welcome center for Oregon County, the place people will visit to begin their exploration of Grand Gulf and other county attractions.
At one point in its storied past, Koshkonong boasted a population of 3,000 and was considered as a potential site for the state capital. Today, the population is 212, but don’t be fooled by that small number. There is still plenty of local pride, which is on full display at the annual OCHS Heritage Day in October.
The museum is housed in the 1909 Christian Church building, which later served as a Masonic Lodge until the OCHS bought it in 1994. It now belongs to the City of Koshkonong, as does the nearby 1902 jail house—definitely worth a stop.
The building is packed with items from Kosh (as the locals call it) and Oregon County. One of the most intriguing is the story of the 9-foot 1-inch giant skeleton of a man that was discovered in a nearby cave, along with deteriorating, handmade giant-size furniture. There is a photocopy of a story from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat dated September 9, 1885, about the discovery. Standing beside the life-size cut-out of the giant makes a great photo op.
Other items in the museum include the original telephone switchboard and several antique telephones, a collection of hundreds of ceramic shoes, vintage clothing, the original church bell, school desks and memorabilia, an old-fashioned washing machine and much more. Kosh’s history as a major peach-producing area in the 1890s is documented.
The City of Koshkonong Historical Museum is at the corner of Luyster and School streets. Admission is free but donations are accepted. To schedule a visit, call 417-867-3260. On Facebook, look for The City of Koshkonong Historical Museum.