The Van Buren County Courthouse in Keosauqua, Iowa

Keosauqua, Iowa

Keosauqua is a city in Van Buren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,066 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Van Buren County.-History:...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 was built in 1843. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

 in 1977 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. It is the only building the county has used as its courthouse, and it is the oldest courthouse in Iowa.

History

The first county seat chosen for Van Buren County was a place by the name of Rochester, however, the territorial governor would not approve of the selection. Keosauqua was chosen in its place and after approval the present courthouse was built. The building was designed in the Greek Revival style. Its framework was constructed in oak

Oak

An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...

and its exterior is brick. The walls are 22 inches (55.88 cm) thick on the first floor and 18 inches (45.72 cm) on the second floor. Truss rods had to be installed in the building to strengthen it.