New book brings the colorful history of Waukee to life

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Waukee Area Historical Society member Sue Ellen Kennedy reads a brief selection from "Images of America: Waukee" at the Forest Park Museum Sunday. The book celebrates the history of Waukee, which was originally incorporated in 1878.

Three of the 12 members of the Waukee Area Historical Society visited the Forest Park Museum Sunday to promote their newest publication “Images of America: Waukee.”

 

"Images of America: Waukee" is the title of the recent book produced by the Waukee Historical Society celebrating the rich history of the Dallas County town, which was at first known at "Shirley."
“Images of America: Waukee” is the title of the recent book produced by the Waukee Historical Society celebrating the rich history of the Dallas County town, which was at first known at “Shirley.”

The book is part of a centennial celebration of Waukee, and details, in both text and a multitude of period photographs, the long history of the Dallas County town.

Marsha Blake-Mills (left) and Marie Nizzi-Kayser were of two of 10 members of the Waukee Area Historical Society who helped to create recently published centennial book celebrating over 100 years of Waukee history.
Marsha Blake-Mills (left) and Marie Nizzi-Kayser were of two of 10 members of the Waukee Area Historical Society who helped to create recently published centennial book celebrating over 100 years of Waukee history.

Incorporated on Dec. 23, 1878 and originally named “Shirley” (Van Meter, incidentally, was first known as “Tracy”) Waukee had an 1880 population of 245. By 1910 the number stood at 340, with a 1994 census discovering a population of 3,411. Since then the growth has been on a sharp increase, as 8,132 souls were counted in 2004, a number which swelled to 13,790 in 2010 and in 2014 was 17,077.

Sue Ellen Kennedy read a short piece from the book, with WAHS members Marsha Blake-Mills and Marie Nizzi-Kayser also on hand to sell copies and answer questions.

For more information on Waukee and the new book visit http://waukeehistory.org.

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