History History

Founded in 1857 and platted by the Monona County Land Company, Onawa, Iowa, is a historic Missouri River town known for having the widest main street in the continental United States. Originally settled near the river, it moved to its current location in 1867, the same year the railway arrived. It has served as the Monona County seat since 1858.

Key Historical Aspects of Onawa:

Name Origin: The town was named for a character in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem The Song of Hiawatha.

• The "Widest Main Street": Onawa is famous for its exceptionally wide main street, which is often cited as the widest in the continental United States.
• Eskimo Pie Birthplace: The popular chocolate-covered ice cream bar, the Eskimo Pie (now Edy's Pie), was invented in Onawa by Chris Nelson in 1920.
• County Seat Struggles: While founded in 1857, early efforts to move the county seat to other towns like Belvidere and Arcola failed, cementing Onawa as the county seat by the late 19th century.
• World War II POW Camp: From 1944 to 1946, Onawa was the site of a prisoner-of-war camp, which held up to 50 German soldiers.
• Historic Sites: The Monona County Courthouse, built in 1891–1892, stands as a notable example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. The Monona County Historical Museum showcases this local history, including the Eskimo Pie, on its grounds.
• Early Documentation: The Onawa Sentinel, founded in 1866, documented the town's growth and, along with the Onawa Public Library, serves as a key source for local history records.

The town was founded by a group of settlers led by Judge Charles E. Whiting and was originally planned to be located closer to the Missouri River before flooding necessitated a move. Today, it is a town of nearly 3,000 residents.