Ottumwa, Iowa

Ottumwa is a city in Wapello County, occupying 16.5 square miles in southeastern Iowa. Home to nearly 25,000 people, Ottumwa is divided into northern and southern halves by the Des Moines River. By 1844, Ottumwa was declared the county seat of Wapello County and began to develop as a city. Ottumwa has traditionally served as the trade and economic center of Southeast Iowa. Today, Ottumwa’s economy is strong due in part to expanding commercial districts and diverse industrial base. Some of Ottumwa’s major employers are Cargill Excel Meat Solutions, Tenco Industries, and John Deere Ottumwa Works.

Wapello County contains large deposits of coal, as well as large deposits of clay in the region. These were very important in the industrial development of Ottumwa. In 1857, coal was being mined from the McCready bank, a site west of Ottumwa. In 1880, the Phillips Coal and Mining Company opened a mine two miles northwest of town. In subsequent years, they opened five more shafts in the Phillips and Rutledge neighborhoods, just north of Ottumwa. By 1889, the state mine inspector’s report listed 15 mine shafts in Ottumwa. In 1914, the Phillips Fuel Company produced over 100,000 tons of coal, ranking among the top 24 coal producers in the state.

Use of asbestos containing materials was prevalent for years at numerous jobsites in Ottumwa, Iowa. Accordingly, asbestos exposure has been an issue for workers and others. If you were exposed to asbestos in Ottumwa and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, you should also consider contacting a mesothelioma law firm.

Jobsites in Ottumwa where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Ottumwa, IA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Ottumwa, IA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Ottumwa, IA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.