E. Eddy Saylor Industrial Park

Located a half hour south of the Des Moines metro, the City of Osceola was established in 1851 and formally incorporated in 1866, Osceola’s early history was centered on the railroad, which connected Osceola to the rest of the country. Regular rail service to Osceola began in 1870. The Osceola Depot was built by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) during the 19th Century and was completely renovated in 1906. In 1911 Highway 34, also known as Bluegrass Trail, was built near Osceola. As the railroad declined in importance nationwide, so too did it become less prominent in Osceola.

Much like the railroad in the late 19th and early 20th century, the development of the interstate highway system, and specifically I-35, helped drive development in Osceola through end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century. The city’s population grew from 3,124 in 1970 to 4,659 in 2000.  As of 2020, Osceola’s population is 5,415. The growth in the city’s industrial base, along with arrival of Lakeside Casino at the turn of the century, helped Osceola invest millions of dollars into infrastructure upgrades. Osceola has over 4000 non-farm jobs, making it a regional hub for employment and commercial activity.

From 2010 to current, the City of Osceola and the Clarke County Development Corporation have partnered to deliver a number of quality-of-life projects. These include several miles of new trail systems, park development, demolition projects, housing project, and the municipalization of the private golf and country club. Downtown preservation, economic development, and promotions are provided by Osceola Chamber Main Street. The City’s Parks and Recreation department offers a number of youth and adult activities, manages the Fern Underwood Family Aquatic Center, maintains a number of neighborhood parks throughout the community.