Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma

Poweshiek County was named for Fox Chief Poweshiek who supported peace in the Black Hawk War.

Poweshiek County’s first courthouse was a two-story frame building completed in 1850. The courtroom was on the first floor; the offices on the second floor were accessed by an outside stairway. It was also as a school and church, and for public meetings.

Poweshiek County’s current courthouse, a two-story brick Greek Revival structure designed by Dake & Dryden, was completed in 1859. An addition was completed in 1890; a full basement and new foundation were placed under the building in 1934. The Poweshiek County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981

Visit the Poweshiek County web site for more information.

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Cerro Gordo County Courthouse in Mason City

Cerro Gordo County named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican-American War.

Cerro Gordo County’s first courthouse was built in Livonia, which was briefly chosen as the county seat.

Mason City (earlier called Shibboleth and Masonic Grove) was reappointed as the county seat in 1858. Mason City’s first courthouse was a two-story stone structure built in 1866.

In 1902 a three-story courthouse made with native stone, with turrets and a tall clock tower, was completed in Mason City. It served the county until 1960.

Today’s courthouse was originally designed in 1936 by the Standard Oil Company. In 1959 Liebenberg & Kaplan Architects and Engineers designed an addition and remodeling of the three-story building for use as Cerro Gordo County’s courthouse. Another addition designed by Associated Engineers was built in 1977 to provide additional office space.
(Thanks to Tom Drzycimski, Cerro Gordo County Planning & Zoning for vintage photo of the Standard Oil Building)

Visit the Cerro Gordo County web site for more information.

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Marshall County Courthouse in Marshalltown

Marshall County was named for John Marshall, the Chief Justice of the United States.

Marshall County’s first courthouse was a one-story frame structure built in 1853 in Marietta.

The county seat moved to Marshall (later Marshalltown) in 1858. A newly constructed two-story brick building with a stone foundation had already been built by Marshall’s citizens to serve as the new courthouse.

Today’s courthouse, a Classical Revival structure designed by John C. Cochrane, was completed in 1886. The limestone exterior was mined from the LeGrand Quarry in Marshall County. The courthouse underwent extensive renovations, and was rededicated in 1978. The Marshall County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972

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Iowa County Courthouse in Marengo

Iowa County was named for the Iowa River and the Ioway Native American tribe.

Iowa County’s first courthouse was a one-room log cabin built in Marengo in 1847. It was too small to be accepted by the board of supervisors, so it was rented by the county until another courthouse could be built.

The second courthouse was a stone building completed in 1851. Within ten years, it was also too small to meet the needs of the county.

The third courthouse was a brick building, constructed beginning in 1861. An addition was added in 1869, but the county needed larger facilities.

Iowa County’s current courthouse, a two-story Romanesque style by Foster and Liebbe, was built in 1892. It is made with Berea stone, and features a unique octagonal tower. The Iowa County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Iowa County web site for more information.

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Jackson County Courthouse in Maquoketa

Jackson County was named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States.

Jackson County’s first courthouse was a log cabin built in Andrew, after the town was selected as the county seat in 1841.

The second courthouse, a brick courthouse, was built in Bellevue around 1848.

A third courthouse, a three-story stone structure, was built in 1861 in Andrew.

Jackson County's fourth courthouse was built in Maquoketa in 1873. This two-story stone building proved too small by 1938, and some county offices moved into other buildings.

Today’s courthouse, a modern design by architect William J. McNeil, was built in Maquoketa in 1958-59.

The former Jackson County courthouse in Bellevue was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Jackson County web site for more information.

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Delaware County Courthouse in Manchester

Delaware County may have been named for the state of Delaware, former home of Senator John Middleton Clayton; or possibly named for Delaware County, New York, former home of Thomas McCraney, member of the first Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Wisconsin.

Delaware County’s first courthouse was a two-story hickory log cabin built in 1843-44 by citizens in Delhi. It was the first building in the county seat, and also served as a church, school, meeting place, and shelter.

Work began on the second courthouse in Delhi in 1850, and was not finished until 1853. A frame structure hewn from local timber, the courthouse quickly became too small to serve the needs of the growing county. A two-story brick county building was erected in 1857 to house county offices.

The county seat was moved to Manchester in the 1880 election. A two-story frame temporary courthouse was quickly constructed, with court held in the city hall.

Today’s courthouse, a Romanesque design by C. E. Bell, was built in Manchester beginning in 1894. The red pressed-brick building is trimmed with hand-hewn stone. The clock for the tower was purchased by donations from about 700 citizens. The Delaware County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

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Harrison County Courthouse in Logan

Harrison County was named for William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States.

Magnolia was named Harrison County’s county seat in 1853. The first courthouse was a log cabin. A fire destroyed this courthouse along with the county records in 1854.

A second courthouse, a small frame structure, was built in 1854, and served until condemned in 1873. A brick office building was then used by the county for three years.

The county seat moved to Logan in 1876, and a two-story brick courthouse was built. By the turn of the century it was too small to meet the needs of the growing county, and plans began for a new courthouse.

The current courthouse, a three-story Classical Revival Beaux Arts structure designed by Joseph E. Mills, was completed in 1911. It was constructed with concrete and steel, and faced with Bedford limestone. The Harrison County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Harrison County web site for more information.

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