Founded in 1953, the Iola Historical Society has growing their complex and museum building on Depot Street. It consists of an historical village with the original Iola and Northern Railway Depot built in 1894, Log Cabin, Helvetia Town Hall, Replica Country School House and Replica of original Iola Fire House which houses the first three mechanzied Fire Engines including a 1912 Waterous Pumper that was horse drawn. The historical society also has two other large building that are being set up as museums.