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Iowa State...
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Iowa Counties
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Iowa Counties
There are 99 counties in Iowa. The first two counties, Des Moines County and Dubuque County,
were created in 1834 when Iowa was still part of the Michigan Territory. In preparation for Michigan's
statehood, part of Michigan Territory was formed into Wisconsin Territory in 1836]. Two years later, the western
portion was split off to become Iowa Territory. The south-eastern part of Iowa Territory became Iowa, the 29th
state in the union, on 28 December 1846, by which point 44 counties had been created. Counties continued to be
created by the state government until 1857, when the last county, Humboldt County, was created.
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Adams County, Iowa
Adams County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education
County Seat: Corning
Year Organized: 1851
Square Miles: 424
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Court House: P.O. Box 28
County Courthouse
Corning, IA 50841-0028
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Etymology - Origin of County Name
Adams is named for either John Adams, the second president of the United States, or his son, John
Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick
Facts
History
Adams County was established in 1851
and originated in 1853. The county and its county seat were named for John
Quincy Adams, Quincy was the original county seat. At the time, Montgomery
County Sheriff Amos Lowe issued the election certificates to the first county
officials of Adams County. One half the town of Quincy was given to the county
to sell and use the revenue for building the first courthouse. Two courthouses
were built in Quincy, a noted station on the Underground Railroad. The first
courthouse sometimes was used to hide fugitive slaves.
In 1857, the Quincy Guards were organized, the first volunteer military company
in western Iowa. In the Civil War that followed, these men became famous for
their bravery, and nearly all 40 young men composing the company became officers
before the war ended.
The first book of minutes of the Board of Supervisors begins in May 1857. The
Board met usually the first day of the month and continued for as many days as
it took to complete all business. In 1862, for four and one-half days work and
14 miles travel, supervisors received $10.68.
Queen City and Corning requested public votes for relocation of the county seat
in 1859 and 1869, respectively. Neither got enough votes. However, Corning
incorporated in 1871, requested the vote again in 1872, and was successful. The
citizens of Corning built a new courthouse at their own expense.
This courthouse burned down in 1888 (all county records and documents were
saved), and another one was built for $28,183 and dedicated June 20, 1890. The
present courthouse was dedicated Oct. 7, 1955 and cost $218,635. It was built
right in front of the old courthouse, which was eventually razed.
In 1997 the Board of Supervisors voted to renovate the courthouse. The project
was started in August of 1998 and took one year to complete. The courthouse has
a new exterior finish, new signage and entrance canopy design. A remodeled jail
and jail addition now accommodates 4, 6, and 8 beds in a dormitory type setting
plus a 2-bed holding cell which is handicapped accessible. The total cost of the
renovation project was $850,000.
Other historical facts include Adams County was home to former Iowa Governor Dan
Turner and the birthplace of Johnny Carson. The Icarian Society came to Adams
County in 1852 and established a settlement east of Corning. The Icarian
Foundation is undertaking the huge task to preserve history through restoration
of the colony.
Source: Donna West, Adams County Auditor, 2002
Neighboring Counties:
- Northeast: Adair County
- East: Union County
- Southeast: Ringgold County
- South: Taylor County
- Southwest: Page County
- West: Montgomery County
- Northwest: Cass County
Cities and Towns:
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- Carbon |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Corning
(County Seat) |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Nodaway |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Prescott |
city |
Incorporated Area |
County Resources:
Enter County Resources and Information Here
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Online High Schools
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County Resource Guide
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The history of our nation can be seen as a prolonged struggle to define the relative roles and powers of our governments: federal, state, and local. And the names we've given our counties, our most locally based jurisdictions, reflects the "characteristic
features of our country!"
But age, size and colorful names of our counties isn't the only reason to explore counties' role in American history, or the history of county government itself. In fact, the story of county government reflects the larger meanings of American history.
Today's counties are the most flexible, locally responsive and creative governments in the US. They are the most diverse, varying in size, population, geography, and governmental structure. In their politics and policies, they express a 1990's political slogan "Think globally,
act locally." |
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