POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, IA HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa Volume 1 by Homer H. Field And Hon. Joseph R. Reed, (1907) – 572 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2024.04.24.1831.CD.AR

History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa Volume 2 by Homer H. Field And Hon. Joseph R. Reed, (1907) – 651 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2024.04.24.1832.CD.AR

History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa by O. L. Baskin & Co. (1883) – 642 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.08.29.1918.AR

Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa by Lewis Publishing Company, (1891) – 804 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.11.21.1236.AR

History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa: From the Earliest Historic Times to 1907 by Field, Homer Howard, (1907) – 683 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.11.26.1106.AR

Pottawattamie County, Iowa: A Genealogical Overview

Situated in the rolling Loess Hills of southwestern Iowa along the Missouri River, Pottawattamie County is a region steeped in the history of American westward expansion. Dominated by its largest city, Council Bluffs, the county served as a critical jumping-off point for the Mormon, Oregon, and California Trails and later became a major railroad hub. Its unique history, including its role as a “mother county” to many others and its unusual distinction of having two county seats, makes it a fascinating area for genealogical research.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Pottawattamie County’s original massive size and its dual-seat government is essential for locating the correct records for ancestors who settled in this pivotal region.

  • 1847: County Formed: The county was established by the state legislature on February 24, 1847, and was formally organized in 1848.
  • Parent County: It was created from unorganized territory that had been part of the Platte Purchase, land ceded by local Native American tribes. Records prior to 1847 for non-native inhabitants are sparse and would be related to federal or military matters.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Pottawattamie was a “mother county” of immense size. In 1851, its territory was significantly reduced to form all or parts of Mills, Cass, Adair, Adams, Montgomery, and other counties. Researchers with ancestors in southwestern Iowa prior to 1851 must first check Pottawattamie County records.
  • Name Origin: The county is named for the Potawatomi (Bodéwadmi) Native American tribe, who were relocated to this area from the Great Lakes region in the 1830s. The name translates to “Keepers of the Fire.”
  • County Seat History: Pottawattamie County is one of the few counties in the United States with two county seats. The first county seat was Kanesville (renamed Council Bluffs in 1853). Due to the county’s size, Avoca was established as a second county seat in 1880 to serve the eastern townships. Council Bluffs remains the seat for the western part of the county. Researchers must determine which courthouse served their ancestor’s township.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was the traditional territory of the Otoe and Omaha peoples. The Potawatomi tribe, for whom the county is named, were prominent inhabitants during the period of early American contact and settlement before being removed further west.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first major non-native settlement was Kanesville, established in 1846 by Latter-day Saints (Mormons) as a crucial outfitting post and Winter Quarters on their exodus to Utah. This made the area a bustling hub for pioneers long before the Gold Rush. The arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad, making Council Bluffs its eastern terminus in 1867, transformed the city into a national transportation center. The economy was, and largely remains, driven by agriculture (corn and soybeans), transportation, and trade.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records, keeping the county’s dual-seat structure in mind.

  • Courthouses:
    • Pottawattamie County Courthouse (West): Located at 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. This office is the primary repository for the western townships, holding records for the Clerk of Court (probate, marriage, court cases) and the County Recorder (land deeds).
    • Pottawattamie County Courthouse (East): Located at 141 West Main Street, Avoca, IA 51521. This courthouse serves the eastern townships. Land records and some court records for properties and residents in the eastern half of the county are filed here.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Iowa began on July 1, 1880. Records from 1880-1920 are held by the Pottawattamie County Recorder in Council Bluffs. For records from 1921 to the present, researchers should contact the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1848 to the present are held by the Pottawattamie County Recorder in Council Bluffs.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Council Bluffs Public Library: Located at 400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503. It houses the Pottawattamie County Genealogical Society’s collection, a crucial resource for local family history, newspapers on microfilm, and local history files.
    • Pottawattamie County Genealogical Society: A primary contact for research assistance, with its collection located at the public library.
    • State Historical Society of Iowa: Located in Des Moines, this is the main state-level archive for newspapers, state census records, and other collections pertinent to the county.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Harrison County, IA
    • Shelby County, IA
    • Cass County, IA
    • Montgomery County, IA
    • Mills County, IA
    • Sarpy County, NE
    • Douglas County, NE

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks