Clarke

Formed December 13, 1846 (39^th county)

Clarke County (9,744), Osceola (5,409)                

The Modern red brick and concrete courthouse was built in 1956 on a square on Main, Jefferson, Fillmore, and Washington streets.  United States Highway 69 is Main Street in Osceola.  The building was enlarged in 1995.  Williamson – Loebsack & Associates are the architects.  A quilt recognizing veterans is on the inside wall.  The outside features a gazebo, memorials, a stage, and a boot and helmet veteran memorial.  There was an 1892 courthouse also in Osceola the only county seat.  The county was established on December 13, 1846 from Lucas County as the 39^th county.  The county is named for Territorial Governor James Clarke.  The county seat is named for a Native American chief.  He is also the source name for Osceola County. 

Clarke County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Supervisors.  Fifty-nine District Court Judges and Twenty-one Magistrates serve Clarke, Adair, Adams, Dallas, Decatur, Guthrie, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Polk, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Warren, and Wayne counties.  The county is in southern Iowa.  Des Moines, Iowa is north of the county.  The county center is 2 miles Southwest of Osceola.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Warren, Lucas, Decatur, Union, and Madison counties. 

The county has an area of 431 square miles.  It is 87 of 99 in the state.  It ranks 77 out of 99 in population in the state.  It has a density of 22.6 persons per square mile making it 63 out of 99 in the state.  Clarke County has 64.0% of its population in its incorporated areas.  Interstate Highway 35 crosses the county north to south from Warren County to Decatur County.  United States Highway 34 goes east to west from Lucas County to Union County.  United States Highway 69 parallels Interstate Highway 35 from Warren to Decatur counties.  The county is rectangular.  Osceola is located near the center of the county.  Osceola is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 55.5% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced OE-SEE-OE-LA.

Weldon