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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.Jones County, Iowa
Jones County Education, Geography, and History
Jones County is a county located in the state of Iowa. Based on the 2010 census, the
population was 20,638 The county was created in 1837. The
county seat is Anamosa. Jones county
is named after George Wallace Jones, a United States Senator and member of Congress.
Jones County is included in the Cedar Rapids, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area
Etymology - Origin of Jones County Name
Jones county is named for George Wallace Jones, a United States senator from Iowa.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Jones County History
Jones County is named in honor of
George Wallace Jones, U. S. surveyor, 1st delegate to Congress from Wisconsin
Territory, and U. S. senator from Iowa.
Jones County was established in 1837 and originated from 1838-1847. The county
has had three county seats, the first of these being Edinburgh. A small log
cabin was built and used as a courthouse. Although it was the county seat, the
town showed no signs of growth. Angered at having a "city of grass" as a county
seat, the citizens voted to remove the county seat to one of two places- Newport
or Dale's Ford. Newport was selected as either a joke or due to political
maneuvering, because no courthouse was ever built there nor was any court ever
held there.
The town of Lexington was selected as the third county seat in a spring 1847
election. Lexington was later renamed Anamosa, after the daughter of Winnebago
Chief Nas-i-nus.
County business was conducted in private homes until a courthouse was
constructed in 1848. It was a simple two-story frame structure costing $800 to
complete. This building was used until 1864, when all of the county records were
moved uptown to a new brick building owned by H. C. Metcalf. Following this, the
county conducted business in rent-free rooms. In 1935 the county finally
approved the construction of a real courthouse. Total cost, some of which was
paid via a federal grant, was $200,000. This building was dedicated on September
10, 1937, and 55 years later is still serving Jones County.
A memorial honoring Jones County residents who died while serving our country
was installed on the east lawn of the court house and dedicated on Memorial Day,
2002. Engraved in the black granite memorial are the names of Jones County
residents who died while serving in the armed forces, beginning with World War
I. Flags from the five branches of the armed services surround the memorial. The
project was designed and funded entirely by two local veteran's groups.
Source: Janine Sulzner, Jones County Auditor
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 577 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 576 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) (0.2%) is water.
Jones county is located in east Iowa. Wapsipinicon River is located
in this county.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Northeast: Dubuque County
- East: Jackson County
- Southeast: Clinton County
- South: Cedar County
- West: Linn County
- Northwest: Delaware County
Education
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