The Dakota City Courthouse
Pictured in the early 1900's
The red brick Dakota City Courthouse was built in
1872 by Charles Bergk. Mr. Bergk was one of the founders of the
city. The two story 37 x 47 foot structure was constructed from
bricks that had been made of clay taken from the foot of Dakota City
Hill. In 1885 a 22.47 foot addition was built onto the rear of the
building. (Notice the size of the tree on the right side of the
building.)
photo from Jim Trauger, Livermore, IA
This photo of the courthouse was taken later
before the new courthouse building was built behind it. (Notice the
size of the tree on the right in this photo.)
photo taken in 2003 by S. M. Coleman
The present Dakota City court house construction
was completed in 1939. A 55 foot, 7,000 pound, flag pole was added to
the front of the partially completed building in 1938. The pole
measures three inches at the top and eight inches at the base. The
pole is made of galvanized iron, and was sent from New York.
The Board of Supervisors, in 1938 selected Ed
Vought, of Humboldt to be the custodian of the new Court House.
1939 article in a Humboldt newspaper stated, "The
old courthouse in Dakota City, as well as the old brick jail, will be
razed by a W. P. A project. This will clean up the courthouse lot
fronting the new building."
Another article from the same newspaper, dated
December 14, 1938, pointed out an interesting point. "Residents of
Dakota City are wondering if any other county seat in the state can
boast of a $182,000 courthouse, in the process of completion and but
one lawyer office.
Don Sawyer is the only attorney in the town
(Dakota City). He has had his office over the post office but is
moving soon to the building just west of it which is being remodeled
and painted for him. Ruth Lindhart is employed by Mr. Sawyer as a
stenographer.
Click on photos to enlarge views of the construction
and positioning of the 1938 Courthouse corner stone.
photo taken 2003 by S. M. Coleman
The inscription on the monument that stands in
the front of the Courthouse reads:
IN MEMORY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN ALL WARS AND CONFLICTS.
Dedicated November 11, 1979
