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The first white man came to Bremer County in 1845 and settled about two
miles southwest of Denver. At that time this area was a Native
American Reservation belonging to the Winnebago Tribe, numbering about
300. Later the Reservation was purchased by the government, and the
Native Americans were moved to the Crow River area of Minnesota, about 150
miles north of St. Paul.
Bremer County had been named in 1850 by Governor Hempstead, who was an
admirer of the Swedish authoress, Frederika Bremer. Bremer County is
thought to be the only Iowa county named after a person eminent in
literature.
Townships were named for famous people also: Washington, Jefferson,
Jackson and Polk, for four of our Presidents. Fremont and Douglas
for candidates for President. Dayton for a Presidential running mate
in 1856. Lafayette and Warren for two famous soldiers of the
Revolution. Frederika for Frederika Bremer. Maxfield for Judge
Maxfield, and Sumner for Charles Sumner who was a Senator of the Civil War
period.
Waverly was first settled in 1850, and it soon grew to importance due
to its waterpower that was used by the flour and saw mills. On
January 24, 1853, Waverly was chosen as the county seat, and unlike
numerous counties, the county seat has remained unchanged. Waverly
was selected because of its growth, commercial position, and railroad
facilities.
Bremer County was permanently organized in August 1853 with the
election of county officers. The first courthouse was erected one
year later by Richard Miles at a cost of $147.50. The small frame
building was used for only three years, and then it was replaces by a
brick and stone two-story structure that cost $23,000 to complete.
None of the materials used in its construction-brick, stone, and lumber
were from outside of the county. This 43' x 63' building was
dedicated on January 1, 1858 at a grand ball and reception that was held
in the new building.
This second courthouse did not contain a vault for the safekeeping of
county records, so in the summer of 1870 a small brick building was
constructed adjacent to the courthouse. The $5,000 building was used
to house all of the county records.
These two building were torn down in 1937 in order to make room for the
third and present courthouse. The county used a W.P.A. grant of more
then $60,000 to construct a $139,000 courthouse. Several bands were
on hand to celebrate the dedication and open house of the new courthouse
on June 10, 1037.
On July 2, 1975 a joint law enforcement building was erected to be
shared by the Waverly Police Department and The Bremer County Sheriff
Department. At this time the Sheriff's housing quarters, office, and
jail were removed from the courthouse building.
In 2003 Bremer County celebrated its 150th year from the election of
county officers.
Sources:
1965 Bremer County Atlas
Kathy Thoms, Bremer County Director of Finance & Management 2002
-from the official
website of Bremer County
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