Davis County is named for Garrett Davis, who was a Congressman and later a United States Senator from Kentucky.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Wapello County
E – Van Buren County
S – Scotland County, Missouri and Schuyler County, Missouri
W – Appanoose County
Created: February 17, 1843
County Seat:
Bloomfield 1844 – present
County Courthouse – Bloomfield
Location: 100 Courthouse Square / West Franklin Street – Madison Street
Built: 1877 – 1878
Style: Victorian, Second Empire and General Grant Gothic
Architect: T J Tolan & Son
Contractor: W B Larkworthy and E W Menke of Quincy, Illinois
Description: The building faces north and is a two story stone and wood structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Bloomfield. The windows have Bedford stone trim and the stone foundation is four feet in width. The building has wrought iron trim and a mansard roof with small dormer windows. The central entrance section projects from the main building. On the center of the roof is a large square cupola with clock and with The Goddess of Justice at the top. In the interior there are dual stairs on the east side rising to the second story, high ceilings and woodwork. The County District Court courtroom is located along the south side on the second story and has the original walnut benches and seats. The County Magistrate Court courtroom is located along the north side of the second story. The building houses the County District Court of the 8A Judicial District and The County Magistrate Court. During construction John Lane of Bloomfield was the superintendent. In 1878, the heating contract for steam heat was awarded to Haxton Steam Heater Company of Kewannee, Illinois.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Davis County Courthouse
See: The 8A Judicial District includes Appanoose County, Jefferson County, Keokuk County, Mahaska County, Monroe County, Poweshiek County, Van Buren County, Wapello County and Washington County.
History: The county was created in 1843 and Bloomfield was selected as the county seat in 1844. The first courthouse was built in 1844 in Bloomfield at a cost of $339. In 1951, a Methodist church was used as a courtroom until 1875. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1977 to 1878 at a cost of $45,201.
County Courthouse – Bloomfield
County District Court courtroom
County Magistrate Court courtroom
Photos taken 2008 and 2024
Images 17*