Clayton County Courthouse

Clayton County Courthouse was originally built in 1868 and continues to serve as the seat of county government. Designed in the Italianate style, it features a hipped roof, a bracketed cornice, a two-stage clock tower surrounded by an observation platform, and arched windows with keystones. A Civil War monument installed in 1919 is located behind the building. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The town of Prairie La Porte was declared the county seat in 1840. Over the next few decades, however, the county seat was moved on several occasions. Not long after Elkader was named the county seat, the town of Guttenberg called for an election to decide the location of the county seat. Residents voted in favor of Guttenberg but the town of Garnavillo petitioned for another election. Apparently, Garnavillo won and a courthouse was built there. However, Elkader eventually became the county seat for good around 1868. The courthouse was expanded in 1876 in response to another challenge to the county seat that year. Other additions were built in the coming years.

"Clayton County Courthouse." Iowa Judicial Branch. Accessed October 14, 2021. https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/educational-resources-and-services/iowa-courts-history/iowa-county-courthouse-history/clayton-county-courthouse.

Ehrhardt, Mrs. L. J. "Clayton County Courthouse." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. October 8, 1976. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/76000745_text.