Exploring Iola’s historical markers

The Iola Historical Society (IHS) embarked on a mission in 2009 to put its local “History on a Stick” with the inauguration of its Historic Iola marker program.

The first marker commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Iola Winter Sports Club was dedicated Feb. 7, 2010.

To date, the society has erected seven historical markers throughout the Iola area, with anticipation to add more markers in the future as meaningful historical events, people and places are documented.

Greg Loescher, an IHS member and founder of the Historic Iola Marker Program, recently visited Sewah Studios in Marietta, Ohio. Sewah’s foundry not only casts the Historic Iola markers, but most of the historical markers dotting America, including the ones installed by the Wisconsin Historical Society, such as the WHS marker at Iola Mills.

Loescher’s PowerPoint presentation on the history of Sewah Studios and marker-making process on Monday, Jan. 25, will take place at 7 p.m., after the regular monthly meeting of the Iola Historical Society. The meeting and presentation will be held at Living Oaks Assisted Living at 505 W. Iola St.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information on the Historic Iola marker program, and the Iola Historical Society, go to www.iolahistoricalsociety.org.