Ossian, IA

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Ossian, a city located in Winneshiek County, was founded by John Ossian Porter. John Ossian Porter, born in New York State, migrated to Winneshiek County, probably in the late 1840s or early 1850s. Mr. Porter purchased property which bordered on the "Military Trail"; a road connecting Fort Crawford, WI and Fort Atkinson, IA.When the Porter's youngest son was born in 1855, he was named Ossian. This same year the Village of Ossian was founded.

"Ossian" is described in the encyclopedia dictionary as: "A legendary Irish hero and bard of the third century, subject of a cycle of poems by James MacPherson, published 1760 to 1768. Legendary or not, Ossian the Bard, is a well know tradition in Ireland. Quite likely, Porter, though born in New York State, was of Irish ancestry.

Our town's name is not unique. There is an Ossian, Indiana and at one time an Ossian, New York was in existence.

Ossian was actually incorporated on February 7, 1876. Sixty-Seven voted for the incorporation and fifty-seven against. At the time there were 475 people living in Ossian.

Because of Ossian's location on the Military Trail, it was a center for railroad trails. Even in 1928 there were still 12 daily trains passing through; eight passenger and four freight. Today the railroad still passes through with just freight trains.

Various dates showing how Ossian progressed through the years:

• 1882 Telephone established in the community.
• 1888 Installed street lights powered with oil.
• 1898 Actual fire department established with pumpers and a building to house equipment.
• 1912 Horse and buggy were still the main form of transportation, but automobiles became more common.
• 1913 Oil street lights were replaced with electric lights.
• 1917 The town installed a municipal water system with a 60,000 gallon water tower. This tower was replaced

in 1988 with a 150,000 gallon water tower.

• 1923 The first municipal sanitary sewer system was installed. This was upgraded twice; once in 1949 and again in 1990.