Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Court Records | Vital Records | CENSUS Records | TAX Records | Military Records | Church & Cemetery |
Maps & Atlases | Genealogy Addresses | Genealogy Related Sites |

VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Cerro Gordo was created on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1855) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican-American War. The County Seat is Mason City.

Counties adjacent to Cerro Gordo County are Worth County (north), Mitchell County (northeast), Floyd County (east), Franklin County (south), Hancock County (west). Cities and Towns Include Clear Lake, Dougherty, Mason City, Meservey, Nora Springs, Plymouth, Rock Falls, Rockwell, Swaledale, Thornton, Ventura. Townships Include Bath, City of Clear Lake, Clear Lake, Dougherty, Falls, Geneseo, Grant, Grimes, Lake, Lime Creek, Lincoln, Mason, Mason City, Mount Vernon, Owen, Pleasant Valley, Portland, Union.

In 1851 the first white settlers came to the county, settling at Clear Lake. Four years later, August 7, 1855, the first county elections were held. Closely following these elections was the appointment of three locating commissioners. These commissioners located the county seat at Mason City, which was first called Shibboleth and later Masonic Grove.

The first court was held in Mason City in 1857. It was short-lived because in the summer of 1857 the county seat was moved to Livonia. A new courthouse was built there, and the county records and offices were soon located at this small town. This too was short-lived, because in April, 1858, Mason City won back the county seat in an election. Following this the county erected a $600 stone courthouse in Mason City. Built in 1866, this building was used until 1900, when it was abandoned. In 1902 a second courthouse of native stone was completed. Like its predecessor, it lasted a long time -- from 1902 until 1960 when it was torn down.

The present Cerro Gordo courthouse was first used on November 17, 1960. The building, purchased from the Standard Oil Company, was remodeled, and an addition was completed at that time to make a 49,000 square-foot building. That $750,000 project was financed through a bond. There was another addition in 1978 to create the current building as it stands now. See also County History for more details.

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Records at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse

See Also Iowa Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link below, calling or visiting the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse at 220 North Washington, Mason City 50401; Tel: 641-424-6431. See Also Courthouse Street Addresses for current courthouse addresses for all Iowa Counties. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Cerro Gordo County was attached to Floyd County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Cerro Gordo County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1855, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1855.

The Recorder's Office was created in 1839 by the First Legislative Assembly. The Recorder continues to maintain official records of documents affecting title to real estate. Every real estate transaction that takes place begins in the Recorder's Office. One of the major duties of the office is the management of public records. As a result, accuracy and preservation of records are a must in the Recorder's Office. Instruments that are recorded are not only important for today, but serve as a historical library for all of the tomorrows.

In addition to real estate transactions, the Recorder's Office issues titles and liens; records veterans discharge papers; processes passport applications; accepts marriage applications and issues the subsequent license; issues certified copies of birth, death and marriage records as well as other numerous duties.

Cerro Gordo County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1857 and Court Records from 1880?.

In each of Iowa's 99 counties, a clerk of district court office manages and maintains all trial court records, including pleadings, evidence and orders. The clerks of court have hundreds of administrative duties. They accept and process fines, fees and court costs owed to the state, child support checks, and civil judgments owed to litigants. They maintain a record of liens on all real estate in the county. Clerks help with involuntary hospitalization cases. They have the authority to dispose of scheduled violations which are not contested and do not require a court hearing. Clerks are also responsible for informing state and local government agencies of court orders.

The Iowa district court has general jurisdiction of all civil, criminal and juvenile cases and probate matters in the state. The district court, which is also known as the trial court, is the point of entry in the court system for most cases. The Iowa district court is composed of different kinds of judicial officers with varying amounts of jurisdiction-judicial magistrates, associate juvenile judges, associate probate judges, district associate judges, and district court judges.

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Court Records by clicking the link below:

  • Order County Court, Civil or Criminal Records Online
  • All Iowa Counties Clerks of Court Contact Information
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
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Cerro Gordo County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Iowa

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-4944 recording, Iowa prefers you get all Vital Records from the State Office in Des Moines and NOT at the County Clerk's office. They have the following records:

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates:In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
    • Cost: $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
    • Processing Time: Filled requests take 30-45 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service. Genealogy requests take least 60 days. When ordered by mail (Application) or 2-5 Days when you order online
  • Divorces: Divorces on file are Brief statistical records only since 1906.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service
  • Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. In-person requests may also be paid in cash. Checks must be drawn from the applicant's account; money orders must be in the name of the applicant. Fees must be paid at the time of the application.
  • Walk-In Service:  Walk-in service is available for in-person requests at the state vital records office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. The office is located at the address listed below, just inside the main north entrance and to the right of the main lobby. The Lucas building is the first state office building east of the state Capitol building, on the south side of Grand Avenue. Written applications must be satisfactorily completed and signed. Applicants must also provide valid, current government-issued photo identification. Copies may either be picked up after two days or mailed to an entitled person.

Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county. County registrars do not have code authority to have Birth, death, and marriage records between the years 1921 to 1941.

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Iowa newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
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Cerro Gordo County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Iowa

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Cerro Gordo County, Iowa are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Census Online - Iowa Census Records
  • Iowa Census, 1838-70: This collection contains the following indexes: 1838 Territorial Census; 1840 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1841-1849 Tax Lists; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1851 State Census Index; 1852 State Census Index; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1870 Federal Census Index.
  • Iowa State Census 1885: This database is an index to the 1885 Iowa State Census (U.S.A.). It covers several counties and contains the following information: the names of every member of the household, their genders, ages, birthplaces, lcation (town, county, state), marital status, and much more.
  • Iowa State Census, 1895: This database contains information for 91 counties from the 1895 Iowa State Census in the united States. Information listed includes the name of every member of the household, their sex, age, birthplace, and location (town and county).
  • Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925: This database contains Iowa state censuses for the following years: 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, and 1925. It also includes some head of household censuses and other special censuses from 1836-1897. Information available for an individual will vary according to the census year and the information requested on the census form. Some of the information contained in this database though includes: name, age, gender, race, birthplace, marital status, and place of enumeration.
  • The USGenWeb Archives Iowa CENSUS IMAGES PROJECT
  • Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Cerro Gordo County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Iowa showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Iowa showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Iowa Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Maps. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Cerro Gordo County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Iowa

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Cerro Gordo County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

The tax rolls for personal property and real estate were kept by the auditor or the treasurer of each county. A few of these records have been microfilmed and are available at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Original county tax rolls are usually not transferred.

Old age pension tax is a resource genealogists should consider in Iowa. A 1934 directive to collect an old age assistance tax was based on a list of all persons over twenty-one years of age. Although the tax was discontinued in 1936, the information included could be important: name, address, sex, date of birth, place of birth, and names of both parents. Many counties have had these lists microfilmed and they are available through the FHL.

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Cerro Gordo County Tax Assesors Office
    The Treasurer is responsible for collection of property taxes and other fees for state, county, city, school districts, community colleges, and other taxing entities such as townships, fire districts, and drainage districts.
  • Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Cerro Gordo County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • North Central Iowa Genealogy Society, PO Box 237, Mason City IA 50402-0237
    [Researching in nine area counties Cerro Gordo, Mitchell, Floyd, Butler, Franklin, Worth, Winnebago, Hancock, and Wright]
  • State Historical Society of Iowa, Capitol Complex, Des Moines, IA 50319
  • Iowa Genealogical Society, 6000 Douglas, P.O. Box 7735, Des Moines, IA 50322
  • State Historical Society of Iowa Research Library, 402 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240
  • State Historical Society of Iowa Library, Capitol Complex, Des Moines, IA 50319
  • National Archives; Central Plains Region, Kansas City, 2312 East Bannister Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131-3011; Email: kansascity.archives@nara.gov; Phone: 816-268-8000
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Iowa Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Cerro Gordo County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Iowa

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Cerro Gordo County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Cerro Gordo County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Predominant church groups in Iowa include Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist. Less in size, but equally important in religious history in the state are the Quakers, Mormons, Mennonites, and Congregationalists. The first church building in Iowa, a Methodist church built of logs, was constructed in Dubuque in 1834. A year later the Catholics erected a parish building in the same city. In 1843 the “Iowa Band” of Congregational and Presbyterian clergy began ministering to the settlers in Iowa. In 1854 a small group of the Community of True Inspiration arrived from Germany, settling along the Iowa River in the mid-section of the state. A year later additional members of their group joined them, establishing the unique Amana colonies of present-day Iowa.

Many of the local chapters of the Iowa Genealogical Society have publications of cemetery records in their respective counties which can be ordered through the chapter. A state-wide publication listing is available through the state society. A large number of cemetery transcription collections as well as records of funeral homes, casket lists, and obituary indexes are held by the FHL

Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

  • Find Obituaries in The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of Iowa obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a Iowa newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers from Indiana.
  • IOWA WPA GRAVES REGISTRATION SURVEY - These records contain burials throughout much of Iowa that were compiled by WPA workers in the 1930 s, including grave markers which no longer exist today. Records may be searched within a county or state-wide.
  • Iowa Cemetery Records: These cemetery records represent seventy-six counties and Graceland Cemetery of Sioux City, Iowa, in the united States, that were transcribed by the Works Project Administration. Records in this database generally include the page number where the record can be found in the WPA index, the name of the deceased, birth date, death date, age, cemetery name, town name, and additional comments if any.
  • Iowa Civil War Soldier Burial Records: Listing of 30,000 Civil War veterans who served or lived in Iowa following the war.
  • Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
  • Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Church Books at Amazon.com
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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Cerro Gordo County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Cerro Gordo County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

  • Search 60 Years Of Everton Data: For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons. Learn More
  • Search the Family Tree DNA Project- Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
  • Sites on USGenweb: [ Cerro Gordo County ] [ Iowa ] [ Main Page ]
  • [GenForum Message Boards] [Rootsweb Message Boards]
  • Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
  • Iowa Family Group Sheets
  • Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
  • Family Trees - Ancestry has thousands of family trees shared by other members. They can help you identify how ancestors are related and give you clues about birth, marriage, and death information. Family trees are an excellent resource for filling in gaps in your research or even to simply know where to begin.
  • Pictures - One of the more exciting discoveries in doing family history research is finding a photograph of your ancestors or their residence. Finding historic postcard photos and drawings of towns and important events throughout history can also give you a visual look into your ancestors lives.
  • Reference Materials & Finding Aids - Reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other how-to books, can be tremendously helpful in finding and interpreting historical documents. Many of these books can help you learn where to look for more information and how to use what you've already found to uncover more clues.
  • Cerro Gordo County USGenweb Archives
  • Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Family Books at Amazon.com
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Extended History

 

Cerro Gordo County, located in the second tier of counties from the north and midway east and west, was, in the early days of the state, a part of Fayette County. Drainage is effected by Lime and Willow Creeks and Shell Rock River in the north and east part of the county, while a number of small streams drain the south and west into the Cedar.

The county is named after the location of a battle in the Mexican War. At this site General Winfield Scott defeated General Santa Ana of the Mexican army on April 18, 1847. The American troop, 8,500 strong, was outnumbered by the 12,000 men who fought on the opposing side. The battle was significant because it opened the way for the United States to take Mexico City. During the battle, 63 American soldiers were killed and 431 were wounded; between 1,130 and 1,700 Mexican soldiers were killed. The Spanish translation of Cerro Gordo is "fat hill".

The first white settlers came to the county in 1851, settling at Clear Lake. The total population at the close of that year was 8. In 1853, federal surveyors laid out the county into townships and later in the same year the townships were sub-divided into sections and quarter sections.

In the early days, cattle were allowed to graze at will. Soon, however, this custom endangered the fields of grain and so cattle were assembled in large herds and left to the care of a herder. It was his duty to keep the stock from wandering over the cultivated plots. A favorite oasis for these herders was the flowing well in Mt. Vernon township. Cattle were branded to facilitate the determination of ownership.

The government sold land for a dollar and a quarter an acre. Berries and fruits grew wild and in abundance. Prairie chickens and ducks were everywhere. Hay was worth just what it cost to cut it, and each farmer was permitted to forage all he wanted. The first schools in the county were conducted in stables. There was no jail. Persons under arrest were guarded in rooms or taken to the sheriff's home.

The profusion of wild game developed a race of hunters and trappers. Buffalo, deer, beaver, bear, elk, mink, muskrat, gophers, and squirrels were plentiful.

Settlement and civilization came to North Iowa in the life span of one generation. Mrs. Margaret McMillin Shipley, born in Rockford, Illinois in 1853, was brought by her parents to Mason City in March of 1854 where she was the first white babe in Cerro Gordo County.

The first physician set up an office in Mason City in 1854 and a county medical society was organized in 1871.

On August 7, 1855, when the population of the county was 632, an election was held at John B. Long's cabin near the junction of Lime and Willow Creeks. Closely following these elections was the appointment of three locating commissioners. These commissioners located the county seat at Mason City, which was first called Shibboleth and later Masonic Grove.

The first court was held in Mason City in 1857. It was short-lived because in the summer of 1857 the county seat was moved to Livonia. A new courthouse was built there, and the county records and offices were soon located at this small town. This too was short-lived, because in April, 1858, Mason City won back the county seat in an election.

Newspapers were established at an early date, the Cerro Gordo Press having put out its first issue on July 17, 1858. The Independent was established two years later.

The first county fair was held in 1860 and was considered a huge success.

When the call to arms came in 1860, the total population of the county was 940. Only 180 of these were voters - and poverty-striken ones at that.

In July, 1861, six volunteers lined up on Main street - and left for war, amid tears. In the first two years, the quota for the county was 69 men. Eighty-six were furnished and as time went on, additional enlistments brought the total to 125 men. Of these, 24 never returned.

In 1862, Cerro Gordo county was placed in the forty-second senatorial district and became the fifty-fourth representative district.

The county erected a $600 stone courthouse in Mason City. Built in 1866, this building was used until 1900, when it was abandoned.

It was not until 1869 that the first railroad laid its tracks into Mason City.

From the beginning almost, prohibition had a strong following in this county. In 1882, a vote was taken on the question. Eight hundred and forty-five ballots were cast and the vote for the prohibition proposal was 811, not far from unanimous.

Cerro Gordo county has a number of claims to world-wide fame. The inception and development of the farmers' co-operative has distinguished the county from others. The movement has probably been more thoroughly worked out locally here than elsewhere in the United States, starting with the farmers' co-operative society at Rockwell which claimed nationwide attention in a day when the word co-operation was scarcely understood.

Road-building is another realm of activity in which Cerro Gordo pioneered. The first mile of rural paving in Iowa was laid on the Clear Lake road - the mile east of the county farm - and this one mile built in 1913 has grown to nearly 50 miles. This is supplemented by an excellent system of graveled county and township roads. The leadership displayed in this matter is based upon a progressive citizenry in Cerro Gordo county, its foremost hope for a continued growth and expansion along all lines in the future.

In 1918, Mason City established the first Junior College in the state. One of the early teachers in, and afterwards principal of, the Mason City Schools was Carrie Lane Chapman Catt, who has been an international figure in the cause of Equal Suffrage for Women.

Meredith Willson, a Mason City boy, achieved national fame as a musician and orchestra leader, while his sister, Dixie Willson, was a well-known writer. General Hanford MacNider, whose father and grandfather lived in Mason City, served with distinction in the World War and later was National Commander of the American Legion, Assistant Secretary of War and Minister to Canada.

Clear Lake, which is the fishing and recreation mecca for North Iowans, is located on the shores of a beautiful little lake of the same name, created by ancient ice sheets. Among the early settlers in Clear Lake were the Hewitts, the Dickirsons, Robert O. and James S. Sirrine, Elon A. and Marcus Tuttle and Michael Callahan. The city was platted in 1856 by James Dickirson and Marcus Tuttle.
1902 Cerro Gordo County Courthouse

In 1902 a second courthouse of native stone was completed. Like its predecessor, it lasted a long time -- from 1902 until 1960 when it was torn down.

The present Cerro Gordo courthouse was first used on November 17, 1960. The building, purchased from the Standard Oil Company, was remodeled, and an addition was completed at that time to make a 49,000 square-foot building. That $750,000 project was financed through a bond. There was another addition in 1978 to create the current building as it stands now.

In 1999 the county purchased a building located on the block across the street from the current courthouse. This became known as the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Department Annex. The Department began housing prisoners in the annex in June 2000.

Cerro Gordo County Courthouse

Cerro Gordo County was organized in 1855 and Mason City was picked as the first county seat. In 1856, the Iowa legislature appointed three commissioners to chose a new location for the county seat. They picked a site called Livonia, near the village of Clear Lake. In 1857, over half the citizens of the county signed a petition to move the county seat back to Mason City. The county seat returned to Mason City in 1858. Although a courthouse was built in Livonia, nothing is left standing to recall the once-promising city.

Mason City's first courthouse stood on the site where a theater is now located. It was soon outgrown and board of supervisors tried to get a new one in 1880. But the plan was not approved until 1899. A $64,000 courthouse was then constructed.

In the late 50's concern over the security of county records led the county to expand. The Standard Oil Building in Mason City was purchased for $159,400 and remodeled. The courthouse was ready for service by 1960 and is 30,000 square feet larger than the previous courthouse. It continues to serve Cerro Gordo today.

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