Circa 1839, a Sauk village was established on this site following the end of the Black Hawk War. The village was referred to by the name of its chief, Chief Hard Fish, or Wish-e-co-ma-que. In 1840 or 1841, before Iowa became a state, Jabish P. Eddy was permitted to open a trading post in Hard Fish's village. It was a place for trade with the Indians and for pioneers to provision and ford the Des Moines River. In 1842, the area was obtained as part of the New Purchase and the Sauk moved up river. J.P. Eddy became the Indian agent for the area and set aside some of his land for the eponymously named town. In 1843, the area was opened for white settlement. The town was formally incorporated in 1857.
Passages that mention Eddyville, cut from the printed page as they were published.
The history of Wapello County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics ... history of the Northwest, history o1878 · page 519Read the page →
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Eddyville, in the spring of 1849, sent some of her citizens in the race for wealth over the alkali deserts of Nebraska to the Golden State. On account of the California travel, a franchise was asked of the Board of Commissioners to build a ferry over the Des Moines River, from Eddyville to the Chariton track, or road, which led right on from the main street in the village of Eddyville. This was given July 2, 1849. Prices of produce rose all over Central Iowa to high figures ; corn was as high as $2 per bushel. Every house was a hotel, and beds were at a premium. Even the soft side of a board was con-
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The history of Wapello County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics ... history of the Northwest, history o1878 · page 520Read the page →
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Away back in 1849, the little town of Eddyville could with pride and truthfulness boast of much intelligence and literary cultivation. There was in that year an enterprise organized under the title of the Eddyville Mutual Institute. This association met weekly for the sake of mind-improvement, the duty of some one of the members being at each meeting to deliver a written or oral lecture upon some moral or scientific subject, and devote the hours to general literary discussions. The originators of this association were Homer D. Ives, Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, Dr. Fish, R. W. Boyd, W. H. Dunlap, Walter Clement,
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History of Wapello County, Iowa1914 · page 570Read the page →
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' The last named acquired his education in the gi'aded and high schools of Eddyville, and when fifteen years of age became identified with railroad work, being thus emploved during the summer months and attending school in the winter seasons. After putting aside his text-books he continued in railroad service until June, 1899, \vhen he abandoned the work because of injuries received, and during the following three years was associated witli the Ottumwa Steam Laundrv Company. In 1902 he
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History of Wapello County, Iowa1914 · page 47Read the page →
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Eddyville under the Wilson administration. While he is a man of executive ability he has a great capacity for detail and has his office well systematized. He is always courteous and obliging to his patrons, and those who have transactions with the postoffice speak of him in the highest terms of commendation.
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Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
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