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Wright County, Iowa History
Wright County, Iowa is somewhat special; it is named in honor of two men -- Silas Wright and Joseph Albert Wright.
Prior to 1854, only hunters and trappers had seen the area known today as Wright County. But in August 1855, the first elections were held in the county, at the log cabin home of S.B. Hewett.
The first county seat of Wright County was Eagleville, but this town was a "paper town" and the county seat was moved to Liberty (Goldfield) by election in 1858. The first courthouse of Wright County was a two-story framed building built that same year. It served the county until the county seat was moved to Clarion in 1866.
Due to its exact location in the center of the county, Clarion was chosen as a better site for the county seat. Clarion was originally named Grant, but it was changed to Clarion -- after Clarion, Pennsylvania -- in June 1870. After the removal of the county seat from the town of Liberty (Goldfield), a decision on whether to move the old courthouse from Goldfield to Clarion or build a new one could not be reached. The problem was finally resolved in November 1865, when the courthouse committee contracted Perry & Nees to build a two-story, frame building for $5,600. Due to additions, the final cost of the second courthouse was $5,950.
In an 1890 election the voters approved the building of a new courthouse and jail. When the results were released to the public there was much celebrating done. Some of the residents of Clarion were so excited that they soaked the jail in oil and set it on fire.
The current courthouse was built in 1891-1892 at a cost of $50,000. It is constructed of red brick, and in 1974 it under went an extensive remodeling to the interior and exterior. The remodeling and an addition to the sheriffs office cost $350,000 which was paid with federal revenue sharing funds.
Taken from History of County Governments in Iowa, published in 1992 by the Iowa State Association of Counties, Des Moines, Iowa
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