Fremont County is a county located in the state of Iowa. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 7,441. The county was created in 1847. The county seat is Sidney. Fremont county is named for the military officer John C. Fremont.
Fremont county is named for John Charles Fremont, the United States General, explorer, and presidential candidate.
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Fremont County was established in
1847 and organized in 1850. It was named for General John Charles Fremont, who
was a lieutenant in the Mexican War and is credited with the opening of west to
white civilization.
Benjamin Rector was elected and sent to the state Legislature to represent
Fremont County; however, he was only permitted to express his views - not to
vote. The first seat of government was at Austin, but no courthouse was built
there, and court was held at the home and general store owned by A.H. Argyle.
The county seat was first named Dayton in 1851, but changed to Sidney at the
next term of court. Sidney was selected to honor the name of the Ohio town of
Clerk of District Court Milton Richards once lived in.
Fremont County has had three courthouses. The county outgrew its first
courthouse soon, and a new, two-story courthouse was built in 1858. A gunny sack
full of dynamite caused thousands of dollars of damage in 1863. There was much
speculation concerning who caused the explosion - some of the possibilities
included Confederate guerillas securing money for their cause, "border ruffians"
or Kansas "Jayhawkers," or thieves from Missouri or Nebraska.
In 1888, vandals struck again. Coal oil was poured throughout the building and
set afire. A steel vault saved most of the records. Neither crime was ever
solved.
In 1888, the county voted 295 to 219 to build a new courthouse, costs not to
exceed $26,000. Things were no different then than they are now; final cost was
$27,860. This courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
on October 15, 1966.
During World War II, a catwalk was built on top, and patriotic citizens scanned
the skies for enemy planes.
Source: Mary Nenneman, Sidney
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 517 square miles (1,340 km2), of which 511 square miles (1,320 km2) is land and 5.5 square miles (14 km2) (1.1%) is water.
Fremont county is located in southwest Iowa.
Bordering counties are as follows: