Sergeant Bluff Historical Museum

10/19/2026

How was Vandenberg Circle in Oak Hill named?

Vandenberg Circle was named after General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a highly decorated World War II commander and the second Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

Vandenberg (January 24, 1899 – April 2, 1954) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Pearl Kane and William Collins Vandenberg. He grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts.

He graduated from West Point in 1923. He rose rapidly through the ranks. During World War II, he played a critical role in D-Day operations. He became the second-youngest four-star general in American history at age 48. The Vandenberg Space Force Base is named after him.

Vandenberg retired from active duty on June 30, 1953, and he died nine months later, at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center of prostate cancer at the age of 55.

10/12/2026

Have you ever wondered how the street Harrington Loop in Oakhill got it's name?

Vincent Harrington (May 16, 1903 – November 29, 1943) was a Democratic U.S. Representative from Iowa.

Born in Sioux City, Iowa to Thomas F. and Maria Harrington, Vincent Harrington attended Cathedral Grammar School in Sioux City. He then attended Trinity College Academy, a school in Sioux City built on land purchased from Harrington's parents by the Order of St. Francis. He attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where he played football for Knute Rockne, as a second-stringer on the legendary "Four Horsemen".

On June 7, 1927, Harrington married Catherine O'Connor of Homer, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington were the parents of two daughters, Catherine Tim and Patricia Ann Harrington

In the 1940 race, he had promised that, if he ever voted for war, he would himself go to war. Thus, after he voted to declare war following the Pearl Harbor attack, he entered in May 1942 in the Army Air Forces, where he was commissioned as a captain, and took a leave of absence from Congress while becoming a candidate for re-election. He was instrumental in bringing the Air Force base in Sioux City.

On November 29, 1943, while serving in the Air Corps as a security control officer in Rutland, England, Harrington suffered a fatal heart attack. He was interred in Cambridge American Cemetery, in Cambridge, England.

Next week, we will share about Vandenberg Circle.

10/05/2026

Past SB-L pins. Many more are on display at the museum.

09/28/2026

Have you ever wondered “Who Is Eddie?”
Edwin “Eddie” Bramble
Eddie was born in 1924. He graduated from East High. He opened his first business in 1957 calling it Bluff’s Tavern, located at 402 4th Street in Sgt. Bluff. Later he purchased the original Pioneer Bank and his new business was known as Eddie’s Lounge.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Abu Bekr Shrine and Sgt. Bluff Lions Club. He held many raffles for St. Anthony’s Home for the Children and was chosen as Pioneer Valley Days Parade Marshall.
His establishment was a great meeting place for the armed forces and the 185th.He was in business for 49 years. He died on June 21, 2006.
We have several items on display dealing with Eddie’s Tavern. Recently, a photo album dealing with pictures from the 1970’s and 1980’s were found in the basement of Eddie’s. They are now at the museum. If you hung out at Eddies, come to the museum and check out the pictures.

09/21/2026

In honor of Railroad Safety Week, here are some pictures of the Sergeant Bluff Depot that was located near the corner of 4th St. and Highway 75. Make sure to attend the presentation at the Sgt. Bluff Library on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 4-5pm.

09/21/2026

Luther and Nancy Woodford
Luther and Nancy arrived in Sergeant Bluff in 1855. They were one of the earliest settlers of Woodbury County. He helped in the organization of the first school and served on its first board of education and was instrumental in getting the Methodist Church established. He and his sons owned about 1,400 acres of farmland
Nancy was a school teacher who taught in a country schoolhouse.
She maintained a home that was a stopping place for the old stage coach line between Council Bluffs and Sioux City. Nancy and Luther had 11 children. Many are buried in the Woodbury Township Cemetery.
The stained-glass windows hanging in the front of the museum's windows were taken from the Luther and Nancy Woodford's house. Their house was located in the area of 7376 Old Lakeport Road.

09/15/2026

A new SBL mascot symbol has been placed on the outside of the Middle School. Here is the old SBL mascot symbol that hung in the High School and is currently displayed at the Museum. The latch rug was made by Kathy Dice Robley.

09/08/2026

William P Holman 1813-1893
In 1859, William and his son, CJ, bought the brick plant. They built beehive kilns and it was the most successful brick plant in Iowa. His family built the Holman Block. Eddies is the only part of the structure still standing. He was married two times. His first wife was Lois and his second was Caroline. All three are buried at the Woodbury Township Cemetery.
For more information about the Holman family, visit the museum on Saturdays from 9-1.

09/03/2026

08/31/2026

SB-L football memories of 1962