Keokuk County is named for Chief Keokuk, who was the chief of the Sac Native Americans who advocated peace with the white settlers.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Poweshiek County and Iowa County
S – Jefferson County and Wapello County
W – Mahaska County
Created: December 21, 1837
County Seat:
Sigourney 1844 – 1848
Lancaster 1848 – 1858
Sigourney 1858 – present
County Courthouse – Sigourney
Location: 101 South Main Street / East Washington Street
Built: 1909 – 1910
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Wetherell & Gage
Contractor: J L Simmons
Description: The building faces south and is a three story light colored stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Sigourney. The first story has horizontal stonework with a central entrance with curved pediment above. Two large columns rise to the top of the third story with a large dormer with arched window at the roof line. On the center of the roof is a square stone clock tower with gold colored dome. The roof is hipped. On the northeast side of the building is a large fountain. In the interior is a central rotunda rising to the third story with four murals decorating the inner dome. The County District Court courtroom is located along the west side of the second story. The County Magistrate Court courtroom is located along the east side of the second story. The building houses the County District Court of the 8A Judicial District and the County Magistrate Court.
Note: The four murals and painting of Chief Keokuk were painted by C E Rang of Chicago in 1912. On the north the mural shows the early days of Keokuk County life with treaty signing scene. On the west the mural is of a yoked ox drawing a crude plow and a young man getting lumber ready to build a cabin. On the south the mural shows growth and improvement in the way of life with trains and windmills. On the east the mural shows Keokuk County in 1912 with barn and “gasoline buggy”.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Keokuk County Courthouse
See: The 8A Judicial District includes Appanoose County, Davis County, Jefferson County, Mahaska County, Monroe County, Poweshiek County, Van Buren County, Wapello County and Washington County.
History: The county was created in 1837 and Sigourney was selected as the county seat in 1844. The first courthouse was built in 1845 at Sigourney at a cost of $218. In 1848, the second courthouse was two story frame structure built at Lancaster at a cost of $699. In 1858, the third courthouse was built by Coleman & Lehman at Sigourney at a cost of $17,200. The building was enlarged in 1892. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1909 to 1910 at a cost $150,000.
County Courthouse – Sigourney
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Mural on inner dome
Painting of Chief Keokuk
County District Court courtroom
County Magistrate Court courtroom
Photos taken 2008 and 2024
Images 29*