Strengthening the Arm of Liberty

Miniature models of the Statue of Liberty can be found on many courthouse squares across Iowa. Boy Scout troops presented these copper statues to their communities from 1949-1952.

Additional information on the project can be found at:
Scouting Magazine archives
Boy Scout Troup 101







Jefferson County Courthouse

Henry County Courthouse










Decatur County Courthouse










Davis County Courthouse










Buchanan County Courthouse







Winneshiek County Courthouse









Bremer County Courthouse







Grundy County Courthouse

South Lee County: Keokuk, Iowa

Lee County was most likely named for William Elliot Lee, who once owned land in southeast Iowa, including the area that became Lee County. The battle over the county seat is lengthy. The Iowa Assembly passed a special act in 1848 that established two court houses and two county seats. The Iowa Attorney General reaffirmed the law as recently as 1975.Even though there have been numerous court battles and editorials over the county seat question, both towns function as the county seat of Lee County.

South Lee County offices were held in rented buildings for several years. In 1859, Lee County purchased the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons Building, a Romanesque building designed by W. A. Rice in 1856. This building served the county until 1976.

In 1975, the county acquired the old YWCA building, which was remodeled for courthouse use and occupied in 1976.

Today's courthouse is the former Federal Courthouse and Post Office, a three story Romanesque brick, stone, and terra cotta structure designed by M. E. Bell in 1889. It features a seven-story clock tower. It was remodeled for use as a courthouse in 1992. The South Lee County Courthouse in Keokuk was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The North Lee County Courthouse at Fort Madison was completed in 1842.

Visit the Lee County web site for more information.

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

Madison County Courthouse in Winterset

Madison County was named for James Madison, the fourth president of the United States.

Madison County’s first courthouse was a hewn log structure completed in 1850. Besides court business, it also served as a school and church.

The second courthouse was a two-story stone structure, built in 1869, but destroyed by fire in 1875.

Madison County’s current courthouse is an Italianate Classic Revival design by Andrew H. Piquenard, who also designed the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. Constructed in 1876 using local limestone, the structure forms a Greek cross. It features a tall silver dome. The Madison County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Visit the Madison County web site for more information.

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

Fayette County Courthouse in West Union

Fayette County was named for Marquis de Lafayette, a French general and statesman who helped the American Colonies in the Revolutionary War.

Fayette County’s first courthouse was a two-story brick and stone building constructed in 1857. It burned in 1872 when a prisoner set fire to the building during his escape.

The second brick courthouse was built in 1874, with several additions over the years. It burned in 1922.

Fayette County’s current courthouse is a Beaux Arts design by J. G. Ralston. Completed in 1923, the three-story structure was built with gray Bedford stone and features a solid bronze entrance. The Fayette County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Visit the Fayette County web site for more information.

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

Hamilton County Courthouse in Webster City

Hamilton County was named for William W. Hamilton, a president of the Iowa state senate who was influential in the creation of the county.

Hamilton County’s first courthouse was a two-story temporary structure completed in 1866, and used by the county until 1877, when it was moved and used as a residence.

A three-story brick and stone courthouse with a mansard roof was designed by architects Street and Baker. Completed in 1877, it featured a tall tower, which was later removed. It was condemned in 1974.

Webster County’s current courthouse is a split level design by Smith, Voorhees, Jensen and Associates. Constructed with brick, concrete, and faced with black Georgia stone, it was completed in 1976.

Visit the Hamilton County web site for more information.

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

Bremer County Courthouse in Waverly

Bremer County was named for Fredricka Bremer, a Swedish novelist.

Bremer County’s first courthouse was a small frame building built in Waverly in 1854, and served the county until 1857.

1857 a two-story brick Greek Revival courthouse with a dome was built. All the lumber, stone, and brick used in its construction came from the county. It did not have a vault, so in 1870 a fireproof brick building was built adjacent to safely store county records.

Bremer County’s current courthouse is a PWA Moderne design by Mortimer B. Cleveland. Constructed in 1937 with pressed brick and trimmed with stone, the courthouse is three stories high at the center, and two stories high on each wing. The Bremer County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Visit the Bremer County web site for more information.

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

Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon

Allamakee County was named for either Allan Makee, a trapper and trader, or a name of Native American origin.

A log house built in 1852 served as the first courthouse. Used for one year for county business, it was later moved and used as a blacksmith shop.

In 1853, a small frame building was erected in Waukon. A second frame building was placed beside it in 1857, and these two buildings served as the county courthouse until 1861.

During a fight for the county seat, two buildings were built in 1861 with communities offering to donate the building to the county as the courthouse. Waukon built a two-story brick. In 1861, Columbus and Lansing built a two-story stone courthouse at “The Point” between the towns. The county seat was located at “The Point” from 1861-1867.

The county seat was returned to Waukon following an 1867 Supreme Court decision.

Allamakee County’s current courthouse, a PWA Moderne design by Charles Altfillisch was completed in 1939. The former courthouse, now a museum, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The current Allamakee County courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Visit the Allamakee County web site for more information.

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