Cerro Gordo County was formed in 1851 and takes its name from the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican-American War, where General Winfield Scott defeated the Mexican General Santa Anna on April 18, 1847.

In 1851 the first white settlers came into the area of the present county and settled on Clear Lake. Four years later, on August 7, 1855, the first elections were held and the first legal proceedings occurred in 1857. In the summer of the same year, Livonia was chosen as the new county seat. In 1858, the seat was returned to Mason City. In 1866, the first courthouse was erected, which was used until 1900. The courthouse still used today opened on November 17, 1960.

On Line Data

Cities Clear Lake Dougherty Mason City Meservey Plymouth Rock Falls Rockwell Swaledale Thornton Ventura Census-designated places Burchinal Portland Other unincorporated communities Cameron Cartersville Emery Freeman Hurley Townships Bath Clear Lake Dougherty Falls Geneseo Grant Grimes Lake Lime Creek Lincoln Mason Mount Vernon Owen Pleasant Valley Portland Union

Adjacent counties Worth County (north) Mitchell County (northeast) Floyd County (east) Franklin County (south) Hancock County (west)

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