Welcome
to Lacona, IowaWelcome
to Lacona, Iowa"May 9, 1872 - Lacona
This charming little town---the capital of White Breast Twnp---is surrounded
by fertile and productive farming lands, and enjoys that substantial prosperity
which always accompanies thrifty agricultural communities. Warren County
cannot boast of a more hospitable neighborhood, nor of a town more picturesquely
and beautifully situated… Lacona contains three dry goods and grocery
stores; one drug store; one harness shop; one hotel; one blacksmith and wagon
shop; one saw mill, one grist mill, one Presbyterian Church; a fine two-story
schoolhouse and quite a number of neat substantial dwellings…. Lacona
is a splendid little town and when the Chariton and Indianola Railroad becomes
a reality, will be regarded as one of the best points on the line." Lacona
Events and Experiences Vol. 1
Lacona was founded by Willis Clevenger and Samuel Myers on May 30th, 1856 and
named Jefferson Warren County, Iowa. The land was purchased from the government
for $1.25 an acre. The town consisted of eight square blocks that surrounded
a public square, which is still the park today. In June 1857 the name was changed
to Lacona for mail purposes, since there had already been a Jefferson Iowa.
In 1872 Lacona Mineral Springs was discovered and was known throughout the
region for the healing properties of the water. From 1875 to the mid 1930's
Lacona had been known for the quality music of its brass Coronet Band.
Lacona was also home to some unusual individuals such as Cash Cole and Frank
Kirkhart with his "Kirkhart Brothers Show" which included family
entertainment of acrobats, clowns and a Wild West show. Mr. E.G. Bartlett,
who was the "genial landlord of the Lacona House," was said to have
been "an old typo and, of course, knows how to welcome guests and make
them comfortable." He also carried dry goods and a grocery business. In
1894 Sam Ralston moved to Lacona and set up a drug store. During his stay he
documented the life and events of the town with his quality photographs. Thanks
to his great talent and the well preserved glass negatives the history of Lacona
has been preserved. The State Historical Society now possesses those negatives.
" January 3, 1878 - Lacona
The Lacona People are alive and ready to take hold upon any interest that promises
to facilitate the growth and increase the prosperity of their town….
There is not a more beautiful situation for a town in the southeast. The heart
of the town is built upon a low knoll. Towards the west the land rises gradually
forming an extensive hill. West of this the country stretches out into a beautiful
tableland. The scenery west of the town is beautiful and picturesque. The uneven
curvature of the land of the three remaining sides serves to make a magnificent
scene…. Lacona is just such a spot as our imagination has pictured the
Garden of Eden to have been." Darby Sullivan, Lacona Events and Experiences
Vol. 1