Lucas County is named for Robert Lucas, who was a Governor of the Iowa Territory.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Warren County and Marion County
E – Monroe County
S – Wayne County
W – Clarke County
Created: January 13, 1846
County Seat:
Chariton 1850 – present
County Courthouse – Charlton
Location: 916 Braden Avenue / North Main Street
Built: 1893 – 1894
Style: Romanesque
Architect: Foster & Liebbe
Contractor: D Eikenberry and G J Stewart
Description: The building faces north and is a three story buff colored sandstone and concrete structure. The building is located on the spacious landscaped grounds of the Public Square in the center of Chariton. The north front has a center section with large arched entrance on the first story and above it rises to a peak at the third story. The windows are vertical and narrow. On the northwest corner of the building is a large square sandstone clock tower with turrets on each corner. The roof is hipped. In the interior is a central lobby with dual wood stairs ascending to the third story. The floors have ceramic tiles. The County District Court courtroom is located on the east side of the third story. The building houses the County District Court of the 5B Judicial District.
See: The 5B Judicial District includes Adair County. Clarke County, Decatur County, Ringgold County, Taylor County, Union County and Wayne County.
History: The county was created in 1846 and Charlton was selected as the county seat in 1850 when the county was organized. The first courthouse was built in 1880 at a cost of $374. The second courthouse was built at a cost of $18,000. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1893 to 1894 at a cost of $59,670.
County Courthouse – Charlton
County District Court courtroom
Photos taken 2008 and 2024
Images 21*