Appanoose County

Appanoose County has a unique heritage, yet it shares a common legacy with all rural Midwestern communities. The boundaries were drawn in 1843, and pioneers from the East came and staked their claims. Jonathan Stratton, the surveyor who platted an addition to Ann Arbor, Michigan, that would eventually become the University of Michigan, did the same with the county seat, Centerville, and remained there. Coal was discovered in the county and became the primary industry for over 50 years. Waves of immigrants came to the area for work in the mines, changing the landscape of the populace forever. Even as coal mining faded away, the diverse culture of the residents remained. These people of Appanoose County maintained a strong work ethic and a positive attitude that pulled them through tough times. They took pride in the community and celebrated their great fortune to live in Appanoose County.

Most of the images within are from a vast collection archived at the Appanoose County Historical and Coal Mining Museum. The Appanoose County Historical Society takes great pride in sharing these photographs. The curator of the museum, Lisa Barrickman Eddy, was instrumental in the compilation of this book, but the credit lies with the historical society, which has safeguarded these photographs for posterity.