The town of Lacona celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2006: A heritage book was published for the occasion and is available for $55+ $8 shipping and handling. If interested in purchasing a copy please contact
Kevin Konrad
120 N.Washington Ave.
Lacona, Iowa 50139
kkonrad@iowatelecom.net
The following is an excerpt from the city of Lacona's website http://www.lacona.org.
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.
These articles about Lacona's Log Cabin were contributed by Kevin Konrad.
