Johnson County is named for Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Iowa. Born in Gravity, Iowa, in 1907, Dr. Johnson was the granddaughter of formerly enslaved people. She enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1925, when Black students were barred from living in the school’s residence halls. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Iowa. Learn more about Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson at https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/dr-lulu-merle-johnson-plaza.
Until the late 1830s, the area known today as Johnson County was wilderness and a hunting ground for the Fox and Sac Nation. Between 1832 and 1837, Indigenous Peoples were stripped of their lands by treaty. Soon, settlers began moving into the county. The county was established in 1837. By 1838, two towns competed for the county seat — Osceola and Napoleon. An Act of the Wisconsin Assembly selected Napoleon as the county seat on June 22, 1838. A two-story log cabin courthouse was then constructed at Napoleon.
When the First Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa met at Burlington, a bill was approved to locate the seat of government for the Territory of Iowa. The site was to be within the boundaries of Johnson County, and it was to be named Iowa City. Three commissioners met and selected a site two miles north of Napoleon on May 1, 1839.
On December 31, 1839, an Act was passed to relocate the county seat of Johnson County with orders to keep present and future populations in mind. The site of the new county seat was easily chosen as Iowa City, the "capital" of the Iowa Territory. In January 1855, the Fifth General Assembly voted to move the state capital to Des Moines.
The first courthouse built in Iowa City was a temporary two-story structure constructed of bricks. This courthouse burned to the ground in 1856. In 1857, this building was replaced by another courthouse, which was insured for $30,000. This brick building was used until 1899, when it was condemned.
The cornerstone of the present courthouse was laid on December 2, 1899. It was constructed by James Rowson and Son at a cost of $135,000. Bands, balloons and a parade were part of the dedication ceremonies held on June 8, 1901.
Johnson County is currently composed of 11 cities: Iowa City, Coralville, Lone Tree, Tiffin, Oxford, North Liberty, Shueyville, University Heights, Hills, Swisher, Solon and a subdivision of West Branch. Johnson County is home to more than 100,000 Iowans and a wide variety of businesses, including farming, retail, manufacturing and academics.
The county government's responsibilities range from roads and bridges to human services, law enforcement, parks and natural resources. Iowa City is the seat of Johnson County and, as such, many of the county government offices are located there.
The River sculpture