Courthouse Square Historic District
Roughly bounded by Van Buren, Haynes, Maple, and 10th Sts., Centerville, IAThe Courthouse Square Historic District in Centerville, IA is locally significant under Criterion A as it illustrates the importance of county seat designation to the commercial development of a community, and under Criterion C as it represents a cross-section of popular commercial architectural design. The period of significance is from 1876 (the construction date of the oldest extant building) to c.1947 (the 50-year requirement). This district meets the integrity requirements established in the Multiple Property Documentation Form for commercial and public buildings as well as a historic district.
There does not appear to have been any opposition to locating the seat of county justice on this site in 1846. (In many counties there was at least one other town in direct competition for the honor.) Surveyor J.F. Stratton obviously planned that the Public Square would be the focal point of the community when he laid it out with such vast proportions. From the beginning, the county courthouse was located in this area, first along the south side of the Square, and in the 1860s in the center of the green space.
The location of the first permanent courthouse in the center of the Public Square coincided with the end of the Civil War. These two events ushered in a period of true commercial development around the Square. As the citizens of Appanoose County came to Centerville to transact their legal business at the courthouse, they would take advantage of the variety and number of stores providing goods and services around the Square. There were a number of small towns in the county which served the area farmers and coal miners. These included Cincinnati, Moravia, Moulton, Mystic, and Rathbun. While these small communities offered general stores, groceries, schools, churches, and lodge halls, they could not offer the variety of goods commonly found in a larger town. Thus, the businesses around Centerville Square profited from visitors to the courthouse.
Local significance of the district:
There does not appear to have been any opposition to locating the seat of county justice on this site in 1846. (In many counties there was at least one other town in direct competition for the honor.) Surveyor J.F. Stratton obviously planned that the Public Square would be the focal point of the community when he laid it out with such vast proportions. From the beginning, the county courthouse was located in this area, first along the south side of the Square, and in the 1860s in the center of the green space.
The location of the first permanent courthouse in the center of the Public Square coincided with the end of the Civil War. These two events ushered in a period of true commercial development around the Square. As the citizens of Appanoose County came to Centerville to transact their legal business at the courthouse, they would take advantage of the variety and number of stores providing goods and services around the Square. There were a number of small towns in the county which served the area farmers and coal miners. These included Cincinnati, Moravia, Moulton, Mystic, and Rathbun. While these small communities offered general stores, groceries, schools, churches, and lodge halls, they could not offer the variety of goods commonly found in a larger town. Thus, the businesses around Centerville Square profited from visitors to the courthouse.
Commerce; Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Iowa State Fair, one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the country, was first held in 1854 in Fairfield, Iowa. Today, it is held in Des Moines and attracts more than a million visitors each year.
About Appanoose County
Appanoose County Timeline
Appanoose County, located in south-central Iowa, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was first inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Fox, Sac, and Iowa tribes. European settlement began in the early 19th century, spurred by the establishment of Fort Des Moines in 1843. In 1844, the county was officially organized and named after Chief Appanoose, a respected Fox warrior.
During the mid-19th century, Appanoose County experienced rapid growth due to its fertile soil and abundant natural resources. Settlers primarily engaged in agriculture, particularly farming and livestock production. The county's connection to the expanding railroad network in the late 1800s further stimulated its economy, leading to the establishment of several towns and the growth of trade and industry.
Appanoose County played a significant role in the development of the coal mining industry in Iowa. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mining became one of the county's primary economic activities, employing thousands of people and leading to the growth of mining towns such as Coalfield and Brazil. However, as the demand for coal declined, the industry gradually declined, leading to economic challenges for the county.
Today, Appanoose County is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is home to Lake Rathbun, a popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping. The county also boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with numerous art galleries, museums, and theaters. Despite the ups and downs in its history, Appanoose County continues to thrive as a close-knit community that celebrates its rich heritage while embracing opportunities for growth and development.
During the mid-19th century, Appanoose County experienced rapid growth due to its fertile soil and abundant natural resources. Settlers primarily engaged in agriculture, particularly farming and livestock production. The county's connection to the expanding railroad network in the late 1800s further stimulated its economy, leading to the establishment of several towns and the growth of trade and industry.
Appanoose County played a significant role in the development of the coal mining industry in Iowa. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mining became one of the county's primary economic activities, employing thousands of people and leading to the growth of mining towns such as Coalfield and Brazil. However, as the demand for coal declined, the industry gradually declined, leading to economic challenges for the county.
Today, Appanoose County is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is home to Lake Rathbun, a popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping. The county also boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with numerous art galleries, museums, and theaters. Despite the ups and downs in its history, Appanoose County continues to thrive as a close-knit community that celebrates its rich heritage while embracing opportunities for growth and development.
Appanoose County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Appanoose County, Iowa.
- 1843: Appanoose County is established by an act of the Iowa Legislature.
- 1846: The first settler, John Davis, arrives in the county.
- 1851: The city of Centerville is platted, becoming the county seat.
- 1854: The county's first newspaper, "Appanoose Flag," is published.
- 1861-1865: Many residents of Appanoose County serve in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
- 1869: The county's first railroad, the Burlington and Southwestern, is completed.
- 1875: A devastating fire destroys much of the downtown area of Centerville.
- 1907: The county courthouse, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is completed.
- 1930s: Appanoose County, like much of the nation, is heavily impacted by the Great Depression.
- 1940s-1950s: The county experiences a decline in population due to economic challenges and changing agricultural practices.
- 1970s: Appanoose County begins to see growth in industries such as manufacturing and healthcare.
- Present: Appanoose County remains an agricultural hub, while also diversifying its economy to include tourism and recreation.