Van Buren

Formed December 7, 1836 (7^th county)

Van Buren County (7,203), Keosauqua (935)

A light red brick structure for Van Buren County was built in 1840.  It is located at Dodge and Broad streets, on Iowa State Highway 1.  John Fairman and James Hill provided for the Greek Revival designs.  An addition has been added.  The facility sits on a hill with a gazebo on the grounds.  Veteran memorials and a canon are across the street.  Van Buren County was founded on December 7, 1836 from Des Moines County as the 7^th county.  Farmington was the county seat until 1838 when Keosauqua became the county seat.  It is named for President Martin Van Buren.  The county seat name is Native American for “great river bend.” 

Van Buren County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Supervisors.  Fifteen District Court Judges and Thirteen Magistrates serve Van Buren, Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, and Washington counties.  The county is located in southeast Iowa on the border with Missouri.  Davenport, Iowa is northeast and Des Moines, Iowa is northwest of the county.  The county center is 4.5 miles Northeast of Keosauqua.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Jefferson, Henry, Lee counties and Missouri and Davis and Wapello counties. 

The county has an area of 485 square miles.  It is 74 of 99 in the state.  It ranks 90 out of 99 in population in the state.  It has a density of 14.9 persons per square mile making it 89 out of 99 in the state.  Van Buren County has 43.5% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is basically a square.  Keosauqua is south of center in the county.  Keosauqua is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 13.0% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced KEE-OE-SA-KWA.