Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Courthouse |
Source |
Hancock County Historical Society |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Prosperity to the Depression (1897-1939) |
Chronological Tag |
The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930) |
Catalog Number |
2018.051.023 |
Credit line |
Hancock County Historical Society - Britt, Iowa |
Description |
The Hancock County Courthouse located in Garner, Iowa, sparked a large amount of debate and controversy when it was constructed in 1899. At this time, the towns of Britt and Garner both wanted to be the county seat of Hancock County, and the people of Britt saw this courthouse as Garner's attempt to increase its chances of being selected. This debate was finally settled in 1903 when the people of Hancock County chose Garner as the county seat in a vote. Content can be used with the following standards: 8th grade SS 8.25 Iowa Government in lesson on the development of original courthouses and judicial systems in Iowa. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
Prior to the development of the county courthouse, official town business would take place at varying homes and businesses, with the county record books being hauled to each location. It was decided at a meeting on November 4th, 1865 for a permanent courthouse to be built. In 1867, the proposition was presented to the residents of Hancock county to approve a tax to support the finances of building the courthouse. The proposition passed in March of 1868 and construction began. The two-story brick building was finished later that year for the cost of $10,000. In 1898, the fight over who was to hold county seat erupted between the towns of Gardner and Britt. Each town, wanting to hold the county seat, donated money towards the building of a courthouse in their town. Britt contributed $25,000 while Gardner contributed $30,000. In addition to the donations, each town began a petition to hold the seat. During the summer of 1898, the state found Britt's petition to be unofficial. The seat was granted to Gardner in 1903 after a Iowa Supreme Court Trial resulted in a vote. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.024- History of Township Government in Iowa 2018.045.025- Introduction to the History and Government of Iowa 2018.045.075- One Hundred Topics in Iowa History 2018.045.083- A History of the People of Iowa 2018.045.077- The Government of Iowa 2018.045.087- Iowa Through the Years 2018.045.138- History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century 2018.045.168- History of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago Counties, Iowa |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Hancock |
Relation |
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Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Government Judicial System Lawmaking Political System Towns Courthouses Architecture |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Hancock County Historical Society and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
