There are many facets to the history of Oelwein. In the following pages we recount some of the history about the stuff listed here:

•  The City of Oelwein 
•   The Railroad 
•  The Businesses 
•  The Buildings & Architecture 
•  The Schools 

•  The People 
•  The Residences 
•  The Churches 
•  The Amish 
•  The Parks & Lakes 

In January of 1892 the Chicago Great Western Railway Company took over the bankrupt Chicago, St. Paul, and Kansas City Line. The CGWRR and the master mechanic then built a small railroad car repair shop in Oelwein. Primarily because of financial concerns, the assistant general superintendent's offices were moved to Oelwein as well. Oelwein was more centrally located on the newly acquired line and it was thought that, away from the influence of the bigger cities, labor would be cheaper.

Late in 1893 the officials of the Great Western announced that Oelwein was to become the center of repair operations. Originally, this total repair shop was not planned for Oelwein, but the residents of Oelwein "campaigned" for these shops by promising to donate land, give $200 to help start the building of the shops, and purchase some new machinery.

The Oelwein Land Company was organized for the purpose of obtaining the land and money pledged to the Railway Company in exchange for building their new repair shops in Oelwein. This company was incorporated in April 1894 and some of the gentlemen involved are familiar names in Oelwein to this day (i.e. Gustavus A. Oelwein, Sr. and John Jamison). This scheme did not raise the money hoped for, but the shops came to be built in Oelwein any way because of its central location on the line and the additional branch lines running to Kansas City and Omaha. Clearing the land for the shops began in June 1894 and the shops were finally completed and put into operation in May 1899. Thus, Oelwein became known as the "Hub City" because of the rail lines coming into town and the repair shops located here. Oelwein remained a "railroad town" until the 1980's when most of the railroad business was moved out of town.

Transco Railway Products exists in Oelwein today. That business employs 135 people and they are still in the business of repairing railroad cars. Transco employees are very active in the community and are very interested in preserving the railroad heritage of our city. In the past, employees have donated their time to refurbish a caboose and an engine that are displayed near the Hub City Heritage Museum, 26 2nd Avenue SW, the museum of railroad memorabilia.