Adams County Courthouse in Corning

The Adams county seat was originally in Quincy, and moved to Corning in 1872. This is the third courthouse in Corning. The modern style building was designed by Williamson, Loebsack, and Associates, and completed in 1955. Constructed with concrete walls, the three story structure sits on the same site as the previous courthouse. The courthouse has been recently renovated, including a new exterior finish, providing an updated appearance from the original design.

Visit the Adams County web site for more information.

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Photo submitted by Mary L. Miller, Adams County Recorder

Clinton County Courthouse in Clinton

The city of Clinton is Clinton County’s third county seat. The current courthouse is the second courthouse built in the city of Clinton. It was designed by M. S. Mansfield using Romanesque architectural style and was built in 1897 of red Indian Pipestone and granite. It has a large central tower clad with copper, which weathered over the years to a bright green. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Clinton County web site for more information.

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Wright County Courthouse in Clarion

This is Wright County’s third courthouse. It was designed using Utilitarian and Romanesque styles by architect W.R. Parsons & Son, with construction beginning in 1891. The three-story multi-gabled structure is constructed of red brick. Extensive renovation in 1974 modified the appearance somewhat. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Wright County web site for more information.

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Page County Courthouse in Clarinda

Page County’s third courthouse was designed using Italianate and Gothic styles by architects Foster & Liebbe, and built in 1885. Originally a large clocktower graced the top of the structure, but that was removed in 1950 for safety reasons. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
In 1991, a fire gutted the courthouse, destroying many beautiful and historic features; all the courthouse records were water-damaged, but able to be saved.
In 1993, an extensive reconstruction project to restore the courthouse back to its original architecture (including the clocktower) was designed by architects Brooks, Borg & Skiles and completed by contractor Barton Douglas, Inc. Courthouse business resumed in the renovated building in 1994.

Visit the Page County web site for more information.

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Cherokee County Courthouse in Cherokee

Cherokee was established as the county seat in 1861, with a two-story frame style courthouse built in 1864. However, the new rail line passed south of town, so in 1870, the courthouse and most of rest of “Old Cherokee” moved over a mile and a half to “New Cherokee.” The current building is the third courthouse serving Cherokee County. Built in 1966 by Paul Park Company and designed by architects Dougher-Frevert-Ramsey, this courthouse is a modern style brick building. The split-level building sits on a hill with a wonderful view of the business district in the valley below.

Visit the Cherokee County web site for more information.

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Floyd County Courthouse in Charles City

This is Floyd County’s third courthouse in Charles City, despite several campaigns to move the county seat. It was designed by Hansen & Waggoner using a blend of Art Deco and Moderne architectural styles and built in 1940 using tan bricks, Bedford stone, and polished red granite. It is one of ten courthouses from the P.W.A. era that earned entry in 2003 to the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit the Floyd County web site for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Floyd County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Lucas County Courthouse in Chariton

Lucas County was named in honor of Robert Lucas, Iowa’s first territorial governor. This is Lucas County’s third courthouse, designed using Romanesque architecture by Foster & Liebbe, and built in 1892-94. The two-story building was faced with sandstone. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. A monument for the Morman Trail sits on the courthouse lawn, a reminder that the first white settlers in the county were Mormans.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Lucas County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Appanoose County Courthouse in Centerville

Unlike many other counties, the location of the county seat has not changed, but the town itself had several name changes! The county seat was originally named Chaldea, then changed to Senterville (named in honor of Tennessee’s Governor Senter), then the spelling changed to Centerville. The current courthouse is Appanoose County’s third courthouse, designed by architects Smith and Gage and built in 1903. It was constructed with Bedford stone veneer with Romanesque architectural style. A large clocktower rises from the center of the tile roof. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Appanoose County web site for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Appanoose County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids

Marion was Linn County’s first county seat for nearly 80 years, with three courthouses serving the county during that time. The current courthouse in Cedar Rapids was built beginning in 1923 on Municipal (May’s) Island in the middle of the Cedar River. It was designed by Joseph W Royer, featured Neo-Classical Revival architecture and used Bedford limestone for the exterior. May’s Island Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Visit the Linn County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Linn County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Carroll County Courthouse in Carroll

Carroll County was named for Charles Carroll, the sole Roman Catholic and longest living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The first courthouse was built in Carrollton, but the county seat was moved to Carroll City (now Carroll), which was connected to the railroad. The current building, designed by Latenser & Sons and built in 1964 by Sioux Contractors, is the third courthouse to stand on the courthouse square. The bell from the 1887 courthouse stands north of the courthouse main entrance.

Visit the Carroll County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Carroll County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Des Moines County Courthouse in Burlington

Des Moines County was named for the Des Moines River.

Court was held in several different buildings in Burlington for years before a courthouse was designated. Des Moines County’s first courthouse was Marion Hall, a two-story brick building constructed in 1850 by E. D. Rand and H. W. Starr and leased to the county for use as a courthouse.

The county later purchased Mozart Hall, and court was first held in that location in 1868. It was destroyed by fire in 1873, and court returned to Marion Hall until a new courthouse was completed.

A four-story brick and Ohio sandstone courthouse with a cupola was completed in 1882.

Today’s courthouse is a brick PWA Moderne structure designed by architects Keffer and Jones, completed in 1940. The Des Moines County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003

Visit the Des Moines County web site for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Des Moines County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Boone County Courthouse in Boone

Boone County was named for Captain Nathan Boone, a member of the United States Dragoons who explored and surveyed the Des Moines and Boone River valleys. The first official courthouse was built in 1865 in Boonesboro. The town of Montana sought to become the county seat; but by the time a new courthouse was built, the towns of Boonesboro and Montana had merged into the new county seat of Boone.
The current courthouse was completed in 1917. Designed in Second Renaissance Revival style by architect Norman T. Vorse, it features marble walls and terrazzo floors. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Boone County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Boone County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Davis County Courthouse in Bloomfield

The first Davis County courthouse was built in 1843, hewn from logs. The courthouse business was done in several offices for 27 years after the first courthouse was abandoned. The second courthouse was designed with Second Empire architecture by T.J. Tolan & sons and built in 1877, and still serves the county today. It was constructed with walls of red bricks and faced with Bedford stone. The bell and clock in the tower are both dated 1876, and both are still working. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Visit the Davis County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Davis County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Taylor County Courthouse in Bedford

Taylor County was named after President Zachary Taylor. This is the second courthouse for Taylor County, built in 1892 and designed by F.M. Ellis. It is constructed of pressed brick with Bedford stone trim, with fireplaces and a wrought iron staircase gracing the interior. A large clocktower can be seen for miles around. A Civil War monument stands silently on the south lawn of the courthouse. The courthouse, known as the “Grand Old Lady,” is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit the City of Bedford website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Taylor County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Audubon County Courthouse in Audubon

Audubon County was named after John James Audubon, nineteenth century naturalist and painter. The county seat was in Hamlin’s Grove, Exira, and finally in the town of Audubon. The current courthouse, designed by architects Keffer & Jones, was built in 1939. It is one of ten courthouses from the P.W.A. era that earned entry in 2003 to the National Register of Historic Places.

John James Audubon Plaza, west of the courthouse, features a statue of Audubon and his dog, and a series of mosaics modeled after Audubon’s bird image plates.

Visit the Audubon County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Audubon County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Cass County Courthouse in Atlantic

This is Cass County’s fourth courthouse, designed by Dougher, Rich and Woodburn and built in 1934. It is one of ten Iowa courthouses from the P.W.A. era that earned entry in 2003 to the National Register of Historic Places. It is constructed of concrete and tan brick, and features many art deco details – check the stone work and metal design on the doors, windows, and light fixtures.

A large city park across the street has a large memorial honoring all Cass County war veterans, and a log cabin.

Visit the Cass County web page for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Cass County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Jones County Courthouse in Anamosa

Jones County also had two county seats, Edinburgh and Newport, prior to Lexington, which was later renamed to Anamosa. Private homes and rent-free rooms were used for courthouse activity between courthouses. Designed by Dougher, Rich & Woodburn in 1936, it is one of ten Iowa courthouses from the P.W.A. era that earned entry in 2003 to the National Register of Historic Places.

Compare this courthouse with the Cass County courthouse (posted December 9, 2008). They were both designed by the same architectural firm – interesting how many features are similar!

Visit the Jones County website for more information

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Jones County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Butler County Courthouse in Allison

The Butler County Courthouse was built in 1975, designed by Cervetti-Weber & Assoc. Butler County’s first courthouse was in the town of Clarksville in 1856. Following an election to settle disputes over the location of the county seat, another courthouse was built in Butler Center in 1860. Eventually the county seat moved to Allison, where the third courthouse was built in 1881. The current courthouse was built on the same grounds. The round cupola from the second courthouse was preserved, and placed on top of the Butler County Hall of Fame.

Visit the Butler County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Butler County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Kossuth County Courthouse in Algona

Algona is the county seat for Kossuth County, Iowa's largest county. The statue in front of the courthouse honors the 19th century Hungarian patriot, Lajos Kossuth. Kossuth County's third courthouse was designed by Dougher, Rich & Woodburn and was dedicated in 1955. The concrete structure is faced with light brick and stone.

The brick courtyard in front of the statue of Kossuth is a great feature - it creates a map of the county, with townships and cities represented.

Kossuth County has other architectural features worth seeing. A "jewel box" bank designed by Louis H. Sullivan is now the home to Algona's Chamber of Commerce. The Grotto of the Redemption is located in West Bend.

Visit the Kossuth County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Kossuth County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Monroe County Courthouse in Albia

This is Monroe County's third courthouse, built in 1902. Its architect was Oliver O. Smith, whose work included the Des Moines Library, Iowa Historical Building, several buildings at the Iowa State Fair grounds. The courthouse was built with stone using classical revival and Romanesque architectural style.
A tall Civil War statue stands prominently on the courthouse lawn.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Monroe County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com

Dallas County Courthouse in Adel

Welcome!
This site will serve as a forum to share my recent visits to Iowa's courthouses. I look forward to submissions from you - current photos, historical photos, anecdotes, interesting facts and trivia related to our courthouses.

My first post highlights Dallas County's courthouse in Adel. This is the county's fourth courthouse, dedicated in 1902. Its architect, George Bird, was inspired by the Azay-le-Rideau Chateau in France. The courthouse features Bedford stone walls, turret corners, and a 128 foot clock tower.

Dallas County has instituted strict security in the wake of several high profile cases. Cameras are not permitted in the courthouse, with exceptions only for credentialed members of the media and rare circumstances.

Visit the Dallas County website for more information.

Do you have photos, facts, or stories about the Dallas County Courthouse? Post a response, or send email to iowacourthouses@gmail.com