Ottumwa was established in 1843 on the banks of the Des Moines River. The city quickly became a center of retail trade and industry for southeastern Iowa, as well as a railroad hub that shipped products across the country. More than 200 vintage postcard images show the booming industrial and retail city at the beginning of the 20th century and after—from the river to the railroads, from parks and recreation to business and retail, from quiet residential streets to churches and ice-cream parlors—bringing back the bygone days of a still thriving city.