Fort Madison District Court

Fort Madison District Court is the Northern branch of the Lee county district court which is in the Eighth judicial district of Iowa. State Highway 2 is generally considered to be the dividing line between the Northern and Southern parts of the county. US 61, US 218 and SR 27 run through this part of the county and SR 2 forms its Southern border.

No visit to Fort Madison is complete without a visit to the old fort. At what is the Midwest's oldest American military garrison on the upper Mississippi River; there are authentically reconstructed buildings replicating the fur trading post which existed on the dangerous frontier. As you go through the buildings you are greeted by historic interpreters who are dressed in costumes of the period and who act out the daily chores of this outpost. The oldest penal institution west of the Mississippi and the largest double-decker Swing Span Bridge in the world are located in this city. If you are looking for a cultural outing visit the Fort Madison Art center. This facility is located in the renovated Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Passenger Depot. Its sales gallery shows works of local artists in watercolor, oil, pottery, china, jewelry, woodcarving, leaded glass, stitchery and tatting. Or you can just stick to outdoors for some relaxation at either Riverview, Old Settlers, Central or Ivanhoe Parks.