Poweshiek County is named for Poweshiek, who was a Fox chief that supported peace in the Black Hawk War.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Tama County
E – Iowa County
S – Keokuk County and Mahaska County
W – Jasper County
Created: February 17, 1843
County Seat:
Montezuma 1843 – present
County Courthouse – Montezuma
Location: 302 East Main Street / South 3rd Street
Built: 1857 – 1859
Style: Classical Greek Revival
Architect: Drake & Dryden
Contractor: Drake & Dryden
Description: The building faces north and is a two story dark red colored brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Montezuma. The north front has a large square brick tower rising to a white colored octagonal bell tower with white colored dome. The entrance is framed by an arch at the base of the tower. The base of the building is course stone and the roof is hipped. In the interior, hallway on the first story runs north-south. There are wood stairs in the original section. The County District Court courtroom is located on the north side. The County Magistrate Court courtroom was located is located along the west side of the second story. The building houses the County District Court of the 8A Judicial District and the County Magistrate Court. An addition was built on the south side in 1890, and the building was renovated in 1933. A further addition was built on the south side in 1982 by Bushong Construction Inc. of Montezuma.
See: The 8A Judicial District includes Appanoose County, Davis County, Jefferson County, Keokuk County, Mahaska County, Monroe County, Van Buren County, Wapello County and Washington County.
History: The county was created in 1843 and Montezuma was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1850. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1857 to 1859 at a cost of $1928.
County Courthouse – Montezuma
County District Court courtroom
County Magistrate Court courtroom
Photos taken 2008, 2012 and 2024
Images 15*