Community

BCDS - Hiawatha

Brown County Developmental Services, Inc. provides case management, vocational, and residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities in Brown county. The vocational services and office are located at 400 S 12th Street, Hiawatha. This includes our BCDS Thriftshop which provides daily work and pay to people served as they process the donations and work in the store. Residential sites include two apartment complexes owned by BCDS and people served are also assisted to rent from local landlords. Staff at each site help people in services with their needs based on their abilities such as: shopping, housework, personal care, budget management, transportation, participation in the community, etc.

The majority of the people served are funded by the HCBS-I/DD Waiver. BCDS also receives a small amount of state and county funds and the Thriftshop is a great fundraiser. BCDS currently serves 38 individuals with I/DD in vocational services which can include jobs in the community, 31 people in residential services, and has 53 employees, 32 of which are full-time. Find us on Facebook at BCDS-Thriftshop.

Kanza - Hiawatha

Kanza is a non-profit Community Mental Health Center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic for Brown County. They provide Outpatient Therapy Services, Psychiatric Medication Services, and a variety of Community-Based Programs for youth and adults. They offer 24/7 Crisis Services to anyone located in Brown County. They serve individuals and families of all ages and regardless of ability to pay. They accept most health insurance plans and offer a sliding fee discount for individuals without health insurance. View Kanza's website for more information.

History of the Courthouse

On April 19, 1858, $2,000 was appropriated for the purpose of erecting a courthouse in the new county seat of Hiawatha. This courthouse was completed August 1, 1858. The building was frame, thirty feet square, with the entrance on the south side. The lower story consisted of four rooms and a hall, and the upper story was divided into a court and jury room. The building was located in the center of the public square. In 1859, trees were set out in front of the courthouse. By 1877, the courthouse was mostly abandoned and the offices scattered all around town. In 1880, the building was sold and torn down, and material was used to build two small dwellings at 604-608 Shawnee Street.

With the offices scattered around town the leading citizens, having regard for the safety of the public records and good name of the county, began agitation of a new courthouse in 1877. Politics as well as unprosperous times and unrest among the people finally put the issue on the November 6, 1877 ballot, with the results being 798 for and 655 against. $20,000 was the limit to be spent on the building. The cornerstone for the new courthouse was laid by the Masons on April 16, 1879. The new courthouse was built in brick.

The present Brown County courthouse was erected in 1925 at a cost of $350,000. This amount includes the cost of the jail, which was built half a block west of the courthouse. A cornerstone is located on the northeast corner of the foundation put in place by the Masonic Lodge on June 15, 1925. It was dedicated November 11, 1926 with a large parade and a 21-gun salute. Of stone, the courthouse sits in the center of the public square. The building has three stories with large lobby areas on the first and second floors. All floors and stairs are made of gray and white marble. The same marble is on the walls halfway up and there are large marble pillars in the lobby of the second floor. The second floor is designed to resemble a bank with open windows in each office on a ledge of marble. This makes for a very beautiful area.