Winchester, one of the thriving little towns of Jefferson county, is located on a branch of the Union Pacific R. R., about 10 miles northeast of Oskaloosa, the county seat. It is an incorporated city of the third class, with banking facilities, a weekly newspaper, express and telegraph offices, and a money order postoffice with three rural routes. The population in 1910 was 472. The history of Winchester dates back to June, 1854, when William M. Gardiner located a claim in the vicinity. The next year he brought his family and built a cabin. He sold a part of his claim to Joseph Best, who built a cabin. Not long afterward another was built and the two were used as a hotel. As this was on the route of the old military road the hotel did a thriving business. The town was laid off in 1857, quite a settlement having grown up by that time. William Reboe located soon after this and opened a store. That summer he built the "stone store," which was the most important building for many years to follow. In that same year Joseph Head opened a store and whiskey shop. The first physician was Dr. A. R. Cantwell.