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Location

Des Moines County is located in southeastern Iowa, its eastern border runs alongside the Mississippi River.

The county seat is Burlington, Iowa.

Size

Population, as of the 2000 Census:
42,351

Area of the county:
416 square miles of land

Compared to other Iowa counties:
15th largest based on population

County Government

Understanding County Government
This pamphlet gives a general overview of County Government in Iowa.

Communities within Des Moines County:

	Beaverdale
	Burlington - county seat
	Danville
	Dodgeville
	Garland
	Huron
	Kingston
	Kossuth
	Latty
	Mediapolis
	Middletown
	Northfield
	Pleasant Grove
	Prairie Grove
	Roscoe
	South Augusta
	Sperry
	Spring Grove
	West Burlington
	Yarmouth

Observed Holidays

Des Moines County Offices will be closed on the following dates:

2011

Thanksgiving Holiday	Thursday	11-24-11
Thanksgiving Holiday	Friday	11-25-11
Christmas Holiday	Friday	12-23-11
Christmas Holiday	Monday	12-26-11

2012

New Year's Holiday	Monday	01-02-12
President's Day	Monday	02-20-12
Memorial Day	Monday	05-28-12
Independence Day	Wednesday	07-04-12
Labor Day	Monday	09-03-12
Veteran's Day	Monday	11-12-12
Thanksgiving Holiday	Thursday	11-22-12
Thanksgiving Holiday	Friday	11-23-12
Christmas Holiday	Monday	12-24-12
Christmas Holiday	Tuesday	12-25-12

History

Until 1833, Indians held the land that is now Des Moines County. It was named for the Des Moines River which runs through southeastern Iowa. For some years, a branch of the American Fur Company had a trading post on the present site of the city of Burlington. Immediately upon settling on the land, whites applied for license to maintain a public ferry across the Mississippi River.

The U.S. flag was first officially unfurled over Iowa soil at Burlington on August 23, 1805 by Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike during an expedition to explore the Mississippi.

Des Moines County was established and originated in 1834. It and Dubuque County were the only counties in existence at this time. Together they contained all of present day Iowa in their borders. In 1836 the Wisconsin Legislature split Des Moines County into Lee, Van Buren, Des Moines, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine and Cook counties. The present boundaries of Des Moines County were established in 1839.

Des Moines County was entitled to 10 members of the House of Representatives at Belmont, Wisconsin in October 1836. One of the bills passed at this session selected Burlington as the temporary capital of the Territory.

In 1838 the city of Burlington was chosen to become the county seat and the capital of the Territory of Iowa. There was little dispute because Burlington was the only area of significance, and it had been serving as the temporary county seat since 1834.

In May of 1839 the first paper, the Burlington Patriot, was published in the county. Its name was changed from Patriot to Hawkeye and back to Patriot and, finally, back to Hawkeye. It is still in circulation and is Iowa's oldest newspaper.

The first court was held in a log cabin on April 13, 1835. It was later held in the "Old Zion" Methodist church, houses and stores. The first county courthouse was built in 1850. Marion Hall was constructed and then leased to the city for use as a courthouse. This two-story brick building was named after the wife of H. W. Star, one of the builders. The courthouse was later moved to Mozart Hall. This building, along with some of the county records, was destroyed by a fire in 1873.

At one time (in 1905) the Board of Supervisors consisted of four members, but it was changed to three members in 1906 and remains so today.
The present courthouse of Des Moines County was constructed in 1939. Total cost of the project, including land and furnishings, was $280,000.

Sources:
Glass, Remely J. Iowa and Counties of Iowa., Klipto Loose Leaf Company, Mason City, Iowa: 1940.
Anita Kohl, Des Moines County Recorder*
Carol Copeland, Des Moines County Auditor, 2002

*Anita Kohl is retired as County Recorder, our current County Recorder is KATHRYN S. WATERHOUSE.

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