Grundy County, Iowa: History
Grundy County was formed on January 15, 1851, and became self-governing in 1856. It was named after Felix Grundy, a U.S. Senator and Representative from Tennessee and a former U.S. Attorney General under President Martin Van Buren.
The first courthouse was built in 1861. The wooden, two-story building contained a courtroom, but was used for other purposes, including housing the office of the sheriff, county treasurer, the judge, as well as a chamber for the jury. The cornerstone for a second courthouse was laid on November 11, 1891.