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Iowa Counties
There are ninety-nine 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.Butler County, Iowa
Butler County Education, Geography, and History
Butler County is a county located in the state of Iowa. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 14,867. Butler County was created on January 15, 1851. The county seat is Allison. The county is named in honor of William Orlando Butler (1791–1880), War of 1812 hero and a unsuccessful candidate for the vice presidency from Kentucky and a General in the Mexican-American War.
Etymology - Origin of Butler County Name
Butler county is named for William Orlando Butler, a Kentucky candidate for the vice presidency and
a General in
the Mexican-American War.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Butler County History
Butler County was named in honor of
General William Orlando Butler, a Kentucky statesman, general in the Mexican War
and a unsuccessful candidate for the vice presidency in 1848. The county was
established in 1851.
In 1853 a full staff of county officials was elected to start governing. Because
the office positions were not considered sufficiently lucrative, a trip to
Independence to swear in the officials was never made, and the office holders
failed to qualify.
In August 1854, elections were held again, and the officials this time took the
oath of office.
The first courthouse was constructed at Clarksville in 1858. The two-story
courthouse was constructed of bricks and cost approximately $20,000 to complete.
Soon after this building was completed there were numerous battles over the
removal of the county seat. The most prominent of those battles came from the
town of Butler Center. An election was held in April 1858, in which Butler
Center won by only 21 votes. The citizens of Clarksville then obtained an
injunction blocking the removal of the county seat. In July of 1859 the district
court found irregularities in the election and issued an order voiding the
election. A second election was then held in April 1860. Again Butler Center
won, but this time by a majority of 80 votes. So, in 1860 the county seat was
removed to Butler Center for a period of 20 years. The old courthouse was sold
to the local school district for $2,800.
Butler Center erected a simple, two-story frame courthouse that cost only
$2,000. The two-acre site of land was donated by Arthur Mullarkey.
The residents of Butler County became disenchanted with the town of Butler
Center as their county seat. It was removed to the city of Allison in 1881 after
several elections. It was there where the county constructed its third
courthouse. The residents of Allison donated $7,000 to the $10,000 project. In
1903 an addition was added to the courthouse at a cost of $5,000, and in 1937 a
second addition was completed. It cost approximately $9,000. Finally, $5,000 was
used to remodel the courtroom in 1959. In the mid-1970s, an attorney expressed
interest in buying the courthouse, dismantling it, and moving it to California
to use as a law office. The deal fell through, but this courthouse was replaced
by the current courthouse in 1974.
The present courthouse is located just south of the previous courthouse's
location. Total cost of the project was $936,950.84, just under the $940,000
that was allowed by the bond election in 1973. This building was officially
dedicated on December 14, 1975.
On November 25, 1975 a Iowa National Guard helicopter lifted the 94-year-old
cupola off of the courthouse and placed it on the grounds. Today it sits as a
historic display and a hall of fame of Butler County residents.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 582 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 580 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.
Butler county is located close to the center of Iowa. Lake
Considine is located in this county.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: Floyd County
- Northeast: Chickasaw County
- East: Bremer County
- Southeast: Black Hawk County
- South: Grundy County
- Southwest: Hardin County
- West: Franklin County
- Northwest: Cerro Gordo County
Education
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