Adair County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
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Adair County Courthouse
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Iowa Ave. and 1st St. Greenfield, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | S.E. Maxon |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Part of | Greenfield Public Square Historic District (ID14000623) |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000224 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Adair County Courthouse is an important building in Greenfield, Iowa. It was built a long time ago, between 1891 and 1892. This courthouse is special because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very old and important building in American history. It's also part of the Greenfield Public Square Historic District. This district is a group of historic buildings in the town square. The courthouse is the third building used for county courts and offices in Adair County.
Contents
History of the Courthouse
The first courthouse for Adair County was in Fontanelle. It was used from 1856 to 1874. This building was made of wood and had two stories. Local wood was used to build it. After the county government moved to Greenfield, the old building in Fontanelle was used for many things. It was a school, a church, and even a town hall. Sadly, it was destroyed by a fire in 1910.
Moving to Greenfield
A new two-story courthouse was built in Greenfield. It cost about $8,000 to build. But this building also burned down in 1889. After that fire, the county offices moved to a nearby opera house. They stayed there until a new courthouse could be built.
Building the Current Courthouse
The first stone for the current courthouse was placed on July 4, 1891. This stone is called a cornerstone. It marks the beginning of the building's construction. The courthouse was built using bricks. Its style is called Romanesque Revival. It cost $26,768 to build this courthouse.
Courthouse Architecture
The Adair County Courthouse is a 2½-story building made of brick. It has a tall foundation made of limestone. Limestone is also used for other parts of the building. These include the water table and decorative belt courses. You can see limestone on the tops of the brick pilasters, which are like flat columns. It also frames the main entrance with an arch.
Roof and Original Features
The building has a hip roof. This type of roof slopes down on all four sides. It also has gabled dormers. These are windows that stick out from the roof. The courthouse used to have a tall tower in the middle. This tower was removed sometime in the mid-1900s.
Why the Building is Important
This courthouse is important for a few reasons. It shows the history of county government in the area. It also represents the political power and importance of Greenfield. Greenfield is the county seat, which means it's where the main county offices are located.
Images for kids
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The courthouse with the tower still in place.
