
The Lewis area is among the most historically interesting destinations in southwest Iowa. A home for Native Americans centuries ago, it became a crossroad of trails west. French fur trappers came and went. Mormons passed through, as did gold rush adventurers, soldiers, and wagon trains. Some stayed - a sampling of good people and scoundrels. Early Lewis, the original seat of county government, was a mixture of devout Christians and hard-drinking ruffians, reputable businessmen and card cheats, churches and taverns, women of virtue - most of them. Deals were done, crimes committed, abolitionists defied bounty hunters, and a couple of murders went unsolved.
From the roughest of beginnings a social structure evolved, ever-changing, through the good times of the “Gilded Era,” to Prohibition and the “Roaring Twenties.” Wars, the Great Depression, the arrival and departure of the railroad, disastrous fires, rebirth and rebuilding, fortunes made and lost, boys who went to war and didn’t return—Lewis is all this and more.
In an effort to preserve a record of what Lewis and the surrounding area was, the Heritage Center - a part of the new Lewis Library dedicated in 2012 - was created. The past is on view here, without an admission charge, during regular library hours.
Other items of interest:
"Lewis Standard Newspaper" - 1889 thru 1933 on microfilm Lewis Antiques and Collectibles
Lewis High School Alumni and Memory Books Former Lewis Business Artifacts and Photos
Plat of Oakwood Cemetery Hitchcock House Information
*Click Archive Pages to view archived newspapers
From the roughest of beginnings a social structure evolved, ever-changing, through the good times of the “Gilded Era,” to Prohibition and the “Roaring Twenties.” Wars, the Great Depression, the arrival and departure of the railroad, disastrous fires, rebirth and rebuilding, fortunes made and lost, boys who went to war and didn’t return—Lewis is all this and more.
In an effort to preserve a record of what Lewis and the surrounding area was, the Heritage Center - a part of the new Lewis Library dedicated in 2012 - was created. The past is on view here, without an admission charge, during regular library hours.
Other items of interest:
"Lewis Standard Newspaper" - 1889 thru 1933 on microfilm Lewis Antiques and Collectibles
Lewis High School Alumni and Memory Books Former Lewis Business Artifacts and Photos
Plat of Oakwood Cemetery Hitchcock House Information
*Click Archive Pages to view archived newspapers
Mission Statement
The Lewis Heritage Center is intended to create interest, to inform, to involve the public, and to inspire everyone. We appreciate all who come to learn about the rediscover our past. We hope you will appreciate our past as it guides us to our future.
Collection Criteria:
The Lewis Heritage Center collection shall focus on materials associated with the history of Lewis. Items should include the name of the donor along with a brief description of the item(s). There will be a "Deed of Gift" form to be filled out at the time of donation.
For contact information see "Contact" tab above
The Lewis Heritage Center is intended to create interest, to inform, to involve the public, and to inspire everyone. We appreciate all who come to learn about the rediscover our past. We hope you will appreciate our past as it guides us to our future.
Collection Criteria:
The Lewis Heritage Center collection shall focus on materials associated with the history of Lewis. Items should include the name of the donor along with a brief description of the item(s). There will be a "Deed of Gift" form to be filled out at the time of donation.
For contact information see "Contact" tab above