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Iowa Counties
There are ninety-nine counties in Iowa. The first two counties, Des Moines County and Dubuque County, were created in 1834 when Iowa was still part of the Michigan Territory. In preparation for Michigan's statehood, part of Michigan Territory was formed into Wisconsin Territory in 1836]. Two years later, the western portion was split off to become Iowa Territory. The south-eastern part of Iowa Territory became Iowa, the 29th state in the union, on 28 December 1846, by which point 44 Counties had been created. Counties continued to be created by the state government until 1857, when the last county, Humboldt County, was created.Delaware County, Iowa
Delaware County Education, Geography, and History
Delaware County is a county located in the state of Iowa. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 17,764. Delaware County was created on December 21, 1837. The county seat is Manchester. The county was named in honor of the state of Delaware or Delaware County, New York.
Etymology - Origin of Delaware County Name
Delaware county is named for either the state of Delaware or Delaware County, New York.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Delaware County History
Delaware County was either named in
honor of Senator John Middleton Clayton's native state Delaware, or it was named
after Thomas McCraney's home county in New York state. McCraney was a member of
the first Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Wisconsin.
The county was established in 1837. The first county seat was located at Eads'
Grove. The town was named Elizabeth, in honor of Mrs. Elizabeth Bennet, the
first woman settler of the county. The residents of the county were extremely
dissatisfied with this location. They obtained the permission to choose another
site, and the site they chose was Delhi.
The choosing of Delhi as the county seat is rather interesting. The selecting
committee wanted to locate the county seat in the geographical center of the
county, but there was no timber or water in the center of the county. After
visiting several locations, the committee was approaching the site of Delhi.
Suddenly a deer sprang up and ran off. It was suggested that they kill the deer
and stake a site at that location. This was done, and Delhi became the county
seat.
Four long years passed before the county could raise the $200 needed to purchase
the land for the county seat. Finally two residents of the county offered to
loan the county the $200. The county sold county orders at 50 cents on the
dollar to reimburse the two residents.
In the winter of 1843-1844 a hickory log courthouse was built at Delhi. This
courthouse was the first building erected in the county seat. Another courthouse
was built in the early 1850s, but it soon became too small for county business.
A new county building was erected in 1857. The cost of the two-story brick
structure was $5,000. The architecture was of unique style. It was said to
"resemble some battlements of the feudal ages, without possessing any of their
beauty or grandeur."
A battle over the county seat developed between Manchester and Delhi. Several
elections were held over the location of the county seat. Manchester failed all
them, except the last one held on November 2, 1880.
Following this election, the citizens of Manchester quickly constructed a
two-story frame courthouse, complete with a vault. This building was a temporary
structure, and a more elaborate building was constructed in 1894. The red brick
building cost $36,860 to build, not including $800 for plumbing. Seven hundred
county citizens bought a clock that was placed in the tower in 1895. This
courthouse, the fourth for Delaware County, was dedicated on January 7, 1895.
Employees of Delaware County held a centennial open house on September 7, 1996
to honor the existing building. Each office participated in fundraising, giving
tours, baking cakes to share with the visitors, and games or displays for all to
see. T-shirts and sweatshirts were printed and sold to the public.
In conjunction with the open house, the Auditor, Treasurer, and Recorder's
Offices were renovated by installing wallpaper, carpet, new paint, and restoring
all the original woodwork in each office. The lobby area on the main floor also
was painted and the woodwork restored.
The upper level and court room were updated in 1998. The court room was painted
and several offices of the court area were remodeled, painted and carpeted.
Future plans include a renovation of the basement level and Assessor's Office.
Source:
Deb Peyton, Delaware County Recorder, 2002
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 579 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 578 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.
Delaware county is located in east Iowa. The county has a rough hilly surface.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: Clayton County
- East: Dubuque County
- Southeast: Jones County
- Southwest: Linn County
- West: Buchanan County
- Northwest: Fayette County
Education
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