Mason City Public Library
Location
Carnegie Grant Information
Town & County
Twelfth Census of the United States — 1900. p. 450.
Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, which was established on January 15, 1851. The county was named in commemoration of an important victory in 1847 over General Santa Ana in the Mexican War. In 1855, Mason City was chosen as the county seat. In Cerro Gordo County, both Mason City and Clear Lake received Carnegie grants.
(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 64.)