5th District Appellate Court facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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5th District Appellate Court
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Location | Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois, USA |
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Area | 0.7 acres (0.28 ha) |
Built | 1854 |
Architectural style | Greek Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 73000705 |
Added to NRHP | July 2, 1973 |
The 5th District Appellate Court building is in Mount Vernon, Illinois. This city is located in Jefferson County, Illinois. This important building helps make sure laws are followed fairly in Illinois.
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What is an Appellate Court?
An appellate court is a special court that reviews decisions made by lower courts. Think of it like a second chance to check if everything was done correctly in a trial. If someone thinks a mistake was made in their case, they can ask the appellate court to look at it again. The 5th District Appellate Court serves a specific area, or "district," within Illinois.
The Building's Early History
The building where the 5th District Appellate Court is now wasn't always an appellate court. It was first built for the southern part of the Illinois Supreme Court. The Illinois Supreme Court is the highest court in the state, like the final decision-makers for state laws.
Building a Landmark in 1854
Construction on this building started in 1854. It was designed in a style called Greek Revival architecture. This style looks a lot like ancient Greek temples, with big columns and grand, symmetrical shapes. It was a popular style for important public buildings back then.
From Supreme Court to Appellate Court
Illinois changed its rules, or "constitution," in 1870. This new constitution created appellate courts. So, this building then shared its space with the Fourth District Appellate Court for a while. By 1897, all the main Supreme Court meetings moved to Springfield. After that, this building became the home of the 5th District Appellate Court, which it still is today.
A Historic Place: National Register
This building is very special because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was added to this list on July 2, 1973. Being on the National Register means a place is important to the history of the United States. It helps protect and preserve these buildings for future generations.
Other Historic Sites in Jefferson County
The 5th District Appellate Court building is one of only two places in Jefferson County that are on the National Register of Historic Places. The other historic site is the C. H. Judd House, which is located in the village of Belle Rive.