Winnebago Historical Society

10/28/2026

BEAUTIFUL AND BUSY DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
Spring cleaning comes early this year as Patti Jo, Claudia, Donna and Sue streamline our library inventory! The Oulman Vault is the landing spot for those books that can't be lost in a fire mishap and the fun of this task is they discover more history we didn't know we had!!!
Every Tuesday 1-4 pm the Research Center is open and boy do we have some awesome local books from pioneer experiences coming to Forest City to the latest of past years!
Call 641-432-3855 for more info!!!

10/28/2026

The Forest City Canning Factory was located where todays school bus barns are located. Started in early 1900's it employed seasonal labor canning sweet corn followed by pumpkins every year until 1957 when it closed. Interesting to note that was about the same time city leaders started to look for new opportunities raising funds for new employment. Within two years Modernistics of California brought a travel trailer factory to Forest City making Aljos which eventually became Winnebago and a great job market!

10/27/2026

AG COMMUNITY AT ITS BEST! -RILEY LEWIS
Over the years, mishaps and the unexpected of life appear and when you least expect it, friends and neighbors appear to carry the load for you and your family. In my 55 years of farming the first time for helping neighbors was the death of Ronnie Hanna caught in an irrigation machine in 1977. Then when Mark Willis was seriously hurt in a Lake Mills football game, dozens of farmers with machines help harvest Eldons crops. The last time I remember was when Luther Alm passed away and over 30 neighbors and friends came together for his harvest!
Today Kevin Rauk let me share some special pictures of his grandparents Carlton and Ruby Rauk after "Pete" had an accident with his arm and help arrived.
Many of you will see relatives, friends and neighbors in these pictures. Enjoy!
This is the best of America that has no problem showing up when the tough gets going! Thanks Kevin!!
Like share and comment of maybe where you have helped a neighbor in a time of need.

10/25/2026

Jim Oulman Memories
Sylvan Hugelan of Leland ran one of the first machine shops at Winnebago. Hugelan only had a fifth grade education but spoke like he had a masters degree from MIT. He built and flew airplanes and a gyrocopter plus other machines. One day in the shop workers were talking about the weight of an heavy individual worker and soon it became a wager event. But no one knew how to get that weight. So the next day Hugelan got talking about airmail and the costs of flying mail saying it cost a buck a pound to ship mail and asked the heavy employee "Just imagine what it would cost to ship you at that rate" and the employee stated "$400" and one individual in the group got a big smile on his face!
In the early 70's I had some computer consultants during a noon break heard men singing at the end of one line. It happened four guys were practicing for a barbershop course contest in front of an audience. Harlan Rodberg was one of them. The visitors said "Only at Winnebago!" But then after their tour they admitted how hard working was with everyone at task. They also remarked at the promotions given to both men and women and noticed Winnebago had women Supervisors which wasn't the norm in 1960's and 70's American work forces. "Yes only at Winnebago"!!!!!!

10/25/2026

We are booking secured indoor vehicle and equipment storage for the winter!
641-432-3855
[email protected]

10/25/2026

10/25/2026

10/24/2026

The sweet smell of newly cut oak logs was in the air today as Bill Haan head of mill operations and team of Bill Hansen and Corey Miller worked their magic for the Sam Warren family and other projects. One ugly log can turn into a masterpiece of beauty for its next stage of life for many to admire and it’s all done at the Park!!!