Baraga County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baraga County Courthouse |
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Baraga County Courthouse and annex, July 2014.
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| Location | 16 North Third Street, L'Anse, Michigan |
| Built | 1884-85 |
| Architect | William Appleyard |
| Architectural style(s) | Late Victorian |
| Governing body | Government |
| Designated | June 21, 1985 |
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The Baraga County Courthouse is a very important building in L'Anse, Michigan. It's like the main office for Baraga County, where local government decisions are made. This historic building and the smaller building next to it are special because they are recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site.
Inside the courthouse, different courts meet. These include the 12th Circuit Court, the 97th District Court, and the Baraga County Probate Court. They handle various legal matters for the county.
A Look Back: The Courthouse Story
Baraga County was officially created on February 19, 1875. The town of L'Anse was chosen as the "county seat." This means L'Anse became the main town where the county government would be located.
Before the courthouse was built, county business happened in rented spaces. The current courthouse was built between 1884 and 1885. It was designed by an architect named William Appleyard. The building cost about $11,945 to construct.
Next to the main courthouse is another building called the annex. This annex was built in 1912. It was first used as a jail. Later, it was changed into offices for the county. On June 21, 1985, both the courthouse and the annex were named a Michigan State Historic Site. This means they are important historical places.
Over the years, there were talks about moving the courthouse. The building was getting old, and repairs were expensive. People voted twice, in 2011 and 2012, on whether to move the courthouse to a new place. Both times, the idea was voted down.
After that, the county decided to buy another building nearby, the former L'Anse Pharmacy. This happened in June 2012. Some county offices were planned to move there. The old annex building might be taken down in the future.
What the Courthouse Looks Like
The Baraga County Courthouse is a two-story building made of red brick. It's built in a style called Late Victorian. The roof has a mix of flat and sloped parts.
The windows on the first floor are rounded at the top. The windows on the second floor are square. The annex building next to it is also two stories tall, but it's long and narrow. Both buildings sit on a small hill.
