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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.

Taylor County, Iowa

Taylor County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

County Seat: Bedford
Year Organized: 1847
Square Miles: 534

Court House:

405 Jefferson Street
County Courthouse
Bedford, IA 50833-1300

Etymology - Origin of County Name

Taylor is named for Zachary Taylor, the twelfth president of the United States.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Taylor County gets its name from Major General Zachary Taylor, 12th president of the United States.

The county was established in 1847 and originated in 1851. The first county elections were held in 1851, by order of the county sheriff. Only 53 votes were cast in the election of three commissioners, a clerk, judge, treasurer, and county recorder. The first county business conducted was the location of a county seat. A three-man committee was formed to locate the county seat, but nothing was ever done. Eventually the Legislature, on January 14, 1853, appointed a second committee for the same purpose. When a site was located, it was to be named Bedford.

In 1851, Taylor County had a population of 393, and the first county assessor reportedly spent only four days assessing the whole county, was paid $4.00, and the total taxes collected were $62.37.

For several years the county went without a county courthouse. The offices and court were held in the log cabin home of Jacob Ross. Finally, in 1864, the county built its first courthouse in Bedford. The square, two-story stone building was used until 1891, when it was deemed unsafe. At this time the county built its present courthouse.

The $38,810 building was designed by F. M. Ellis of Omaha. The impressive building is made of pressed brick and trimmed with Bedford limestone. The building has many unique aspects, such as fireplaces in numerous rooms and a wrought iron staircase that leads to the back of the courtroom and is still used in 2002 by judges and attorneys.

In 1980, the Taylor County Courthouse was put on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1992, there was a huge celebration! The Courthouse was 100 years old. There were tours, music, demonstrations, food and fun. The Courtyard is 3.10 acres and in 2002, has a gazebo, sheriff's office and jail, a soldier's monument in front of the courthouse and a memorial at the northeast corner dedicated to all Taylor County Armed Forces.

There are still many big beautiful trees and sidewalks lined with benches for anyone to sit and enjoy the peace and beauty of the courthouse and courtyard. Taylor County is very proud of their "Grand Old Lady!"

Source: Inventory of the County Archives of Iowa (Taylor County), W.P.A., 1941

Neighboring Counties:

North: Adams County
Northeast: Union County
East: Ringgold County
Southeast: Worth County, Mo.
Southwest: Nodaway County, Mo.
West: Page County
Northwest: Montgomery County

Cities and Towns:

- Bedford (County Seat)	city	Incorporated Area
- Blockton	city	Incorporated Area
- Clearfield	city	Incorporated Area
- Conway	city	Incorporated Area
- Gravity	city	Incorporated Area
- Lenox	city	Incorporated Area
- Maloy	city	Incorporated Area
- New Market	city	Incorporated Area
- Sharpsburg	city	Incorporated Area

County Resources:

Enter County Resources and Information Here

County Resources

The history of our nation was a prolonged struggle to define the relative roles and powers of our governments: federal, state, and local. And the names given the counties, our most locally based jurisdictions, reflects the "characteristic features of this 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."