|
Iowa State...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Iowa Counties
|
|
Click Image to Enlarge
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.
|
|
| |
|
|
Marion County, Iowa
Marion County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education
County Seat: Knoxville
Year Organized: 1845
Square Miles: 554
|
Court House: 214 East Main Street
County Courthouse
Knoxville, IA 50138-0497
|
Etymology - Origin of County Name
Marion is named for either Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox" general of the American Revolutionary War,
or a leading pioneer whose name is not recorded.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick
Facts
History
Some say Marion County was named for
a pioneer who was a favorite character among early settlers. It could also have
been named for Francis Marion, American commander in the Revolutionary War. The
popularity of the name is attested by the 17 counties in the US of that name.
Marion County, Iowa, was formally organized in 1845, and Knoxville was chosen as
the county seat.
The first courthouse was a log cabin. In 1856, the people became dissatisfied
and decided the county was rich enough to have a new courthouse. In 1895 the
Board called for a special election to replace the 1856 brick courthouse.
Another new courthouse was proposed in the 1960s but was voted down. Instead,
updating the old courthouse began in 1972. Today, the beautiful old courthouse
has a good sound foundation and an interior full of history.
The Iowa flag was designed by Marion County native Dixie Cornell Gebhart. The
flag was carried during World War I by local troops and the Iowa Legislature
approved it as the state flag on March 29, 1921.
In 1996 an open house with period costumes and entertainment was held to honor
the 100th birthday of our Courthouse. This celebration coincided with the
sesquicentennial of the State of Iowa.
Source: Marion County Recorder
Neighboring Counties:
- North: Jasper County
- East: Mahaska County
- Southeast: Monroe County
- Southwest: Lucas County
- West: Warren County
- Northwest: Polk County
Cities and Towns:
|
- Bussey |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Hamilton |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Harvey |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Knoxville
(County
Seat) |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Marysville |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Melcher-Dallas |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Pella |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Pleasantville |
city |
Incorporated Area |
|
- Swan |
city |
Incorporated Area |
County Resources:
Enter County Resources and Information Here
|
|
County Resource Guide
|
|
|
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." |
|
|
| |
|
