The city of Keithsburg was established in 1837.

 

Robert Keith established Keithsburg in 1837.

Keith was an immigrant from Belfrone, Scotland laid claim to what is now Keithsburg. His claim soon became known as Keith's Landing. Keith laid out the town of Keithsburg in 1837. Two principal streets, Main and Washington, were laid out east and west.

Whiskey on the first Election Day.

Glaucey's Mill was the first polling place for Keithsburg residents. The first election in the township was held on Aug. 3, 1840 with a quart cup of whiskey left standing on the judges table ail day for an hour glass.

Trade consisted of wheat, flour and corn.

The 1882 History of Mercer County states that in 1845, Keithsburg consisted of a "one frame house, fitted for a store, one Ion house and three cabins. Trade consisted of 3,690 bushels of wheat, 502 barrels of flour and 3,256 bushels of corn."

 

James Doughty is first editor of newspaper.

James W. Doughty, merchant, became the Keithshurg editor for the "Oquawka Spectator and Keithsburg Observer" in 1850.

The oldest Catholic Church in the county.

Catholic's attended Mass at Keithsburg in the courthouse and the residence of Den­nis Murto as early as 1855, but there was no regular pastor until Father Lormier of Monmouth established stated services in 1865. St. Mary's Church was erected in 1869. It is the oldest Catholic Church in the county.

Trains ran through Keithsburg.

By January of 1871, following a dispute over the railway, a short line was Laid bet­ween the six mile section from Keithsburg to the American Central railway. Trains ran into Keithsburg over this route.

 

Mayor - Sharon Reason
Treasurer - Cindy Diehl
City Clerk - Kayla Hillman 

1st Ward Alderman - Shaun Tippie

2nd Ward Alderman - Don Truitt

3rd Ward Alderman - Ronnie Brock 

Alderman at Large - Donnie Cox, Chad Weeks, Melonie McLaughlin