Wapello County - American Courthouses

Wapello County is named for Chief Wapello, who was a chief of the Fox Native American tribe.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Mahaska County and Keokuk County

E – Jefferson County

S – Davis County

W – Monroe County

Created: February 17, 1843

County Seat:

Ottumwa 1843 – present

County Courthouse – Ottumwa

Location: 101 West 4th Street / North Court Street

Built: 1892 – 1894

Style: Richardson Romanesque

Architect: Foster & Liebbe

Contractor: G Stanfford

Description: The building faces southwest and is a four story buff rough-cut sandstone, wood and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Ottumwa. The south front has a projecting center section with large arch at the first story entrance which rises to the second story. Above are two small windows and a large window rising to a peak with the statue of Chief Wapello at the top. On the southeast corner is a large square tower which was formerly a clock tower. On the southwest corner is a small turret at the roof line. In the interior is wood trim, wainscoting and iron stairs. The central foyer has colorful yellow and blue colored glazed tile. The landing between the 2nd and 3rd stories, features a red colored center with decorative edging of cream and green. The 2nd story halls have a combination of cream and blue colored tiles in the center, with a wider, more decorative edging of cream, green, blue, brick red, and white. The County District Court courtroom is located on the northwest side of the third story. The judge’s bench is treated in a highly decorative manner with a series of panels, slender engaged columns, and carved panels celebrating the judicial system. The front of the judge’s bench features several classical motifs, such as dentils across the top, and a bead and reel design above the capitals. In the center a female figure is surrounded by foliage and two banners again pro[1]claim Fiat Justitia. There are a small courtrooms located on the southeast side of the third story and at the center of the fourth story. The County Magistrate Court courtroom is located on the southeast side of the first story. The building houses the County District Court of the 8A Judicial District and the County Magistrate Court. On the northeast side is the old sandstone County Jail built in 1911.

See: The 8A Judicial District includes Appanoose County, Davis County, Jefferson County, Keokuk County, Mahaska County, Monroe County, Poweshiek County, Van Buren County and Washington County.

History: The county was created in 1843 and Ottumwa was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1846 at a cost of $1,000. In 1872, the second courthouse was built. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1892 to 1894 at a cost of $135,000.