Keosauqua, Iowa, is the county seat of Van Buren County. Of particular interest to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the extant courthouse. This historic structure was built in 1843. It is the oldest courthouse in Iowa and the only building ever used as a courthouse in Van Buren County. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is still in use today.
As Brigham Young and the Camp of Israel came near Keosauqua in March 1846, the local townspeople requested that William Pitt’s Nauvoo Brass Band give a concert. The band played at the courthouse at Keosauqua on the evening of March 10. One of the challenges was that the band was camped about 10 miles away, so the journey back took some three hours that night following the concert. They were requested to play on different evenings two more times, which they did. The audience was most receptive and thanked the band with money and goods that were so desperately needed.