Winneshiek County Courthouse

Winneshiek County Courthouse
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
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Location	204 W. Broadway St. Decorah, Iowa
Coordinates	43°18′10.61″N91°47′16.13″W / 43.3029472°N 91.7878139°W / 43.3029472; -91.7878139 Coordinates: 43°18′10.61″N91°47′16.13″W / 43.3029472°N 91.7878139°W / 43.3029472; -91.7878139
Area	less than one acre
Built	1903-1904
Built by	O.H. Olson
Architect	A.C. Kinney
Architectural style	Neoclassical
Part of	Broadway-Phelps Park Historic District (#76000813 [1] )
Added to NRHP	November 13, 1976

The Winneshiek County Courthouse is located in Decorah, Iowa, United States. It is the second building used for court functions in Winneshiek County. The courthouse was included as a contributing property in the Broadway-Phelps Park Historic District in 1976. ^[2]

History

The first courthouse for Winneshiek County was a two-story building completed in 1858 for $18,000. ^[3] The sheriff's residence and jail were located in the stone basement, offices were located on the first floor, and the courtroom occupied the second floor.

The movement to replace the courthouse began about 1890, but there was not enough citizen support until 1902. To pass the referendum the county Board of Supervisors asked for approval to spend $75,000, even though they knew it would cost more. ^[4] After construction of the present courthouse was underway they asked for an additional $50,000, which was nearly defeated because of resentment over the way the situation was handled. The cornerstone was laid in 1903 and the building was completed in 1904.

Architecture

A.C. Kinney of the Minneapolis architectural firm of Kinney & Detweiler designed the Neoclassical structure. It was built by O.H. Olson. The three-story structure is composed of Bedford stone on the upper floors and Marquette rain drop stone on the foundation level. ^[2] The roof is slate and the dome is covered in copper. Stone carvings are located above the entrances.

References

1. National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service.
2. Lucile Price. "Broadway-Phelps Park Historic District". National Park Service . Retrieved 2015-12-28.
3. "Winneshiek County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
4. Stanek, Edward and Jacqueline (1976). Iowa's Magnificent County Courthouses. Des Moines: Wallace-Homestead. p. 198. ISBN   0-87069-189-9.