Tragedy struck the Page County seat of Clarinda on December 11, 1991, when a fire caused considerable damage to the 1885 courthouse. The fire caused county government to move to temporary headquarters in a former department store building while next steps were determined. In August 1992, county residents overwhelmingly passed an $875,000 bond issue to rebuild and restore the historic building, while an additional $175,000 was raised privately to replace the clock tower. Work begun in January 1993 and county offices were officially moved back to the Courthouse by March 1994.