Winnebago County Courthouse in Forest City, Iowa, United States, is a historic building and active courthouse. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.HistoryBecause early county records were destroyed in a 1861 fire it is difficult to determine where court proceedings were held in Winnebago County's early years. County voters petitioned for a $20,000 courthouse to be built, but little work was done on the building. The county Board of Supervisors eventually decided the courthouse plans were too extravagant, and a smaller, less expensive structure was built. The courts determined that the Board of Supervisors had acted inappropriately and was still responsible for the bonds. They settled for $3,500 in compensation for the construction. The present Romanesque Revival style building was completed in 1896 for about $25,000. Funds were raised through local subscriptions.
