Calhoun County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Calhoun County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Court and 4th Sts. Rockwell City, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1914 |
| Built by | Falls City Construction Co. |
| Architect | W.F. Gernandt |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000227 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Calhoun County Courthouse is a historic building located in Rockwell City, Iowa. It was built in 1914. This building is where the county government works and where court cases are handled. It is the fourth building to serve as the courthouse for Calhoun County. In 1981, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important historical sites in the United States.
Contents
A Look Back: The Courthouse Story
When Calhoun County was first created in 1855, there were no special buildings for a courthouse. So, county officials used their own homes to do their work.
Early Days: Finding a Home
In 1856, Lake City was chosen as the county seat. The county seat is the main town where the county government is located. A small building was then built in Lake City to be the first courthouse. As the county grew, more parts were added to this building to make more space.
Moving Around: New Homes for the County
The county seat later moved to Rockwell City in 1877. A new courthouse was built there for just over $2,000. County officials had their offices on the first floor. A courtroom was on the second floor for trials and other legal matters. Sadly, this building was destroyed by fire in 1884.
After the fire, the county had to rent other buildings. They used a hotel and another building in town for $1 a day to keep the government running. In 1886, officials built another courthouse. They chose a new spot across the street from the old one. This was because noise from the nearby railroad was bothering court business.
The Grand Building: Today's Courthouse
The courthouse you see today was built in 1914. It cost $116,200 to construct. This building is designed in the Neoclassical style. This means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings, often with grand pillars.
The old courthouse was sold to a Catholic church. It was moved to a different spot and used as a school. The current courthouse is covered in limestone, which is a type of stone. Its roof is made of clay tiles. Four large pillars support the triangular part above the main entrance, called a pediment.
Inside, the courthouse is very impressive. One special feature is the three-story rotunda. A rotunda is a large, round hall, often with a dome. This one has a beautiful stained glass skylight at the top. The second floor has ceramic tile floors. The courtroom has a special ceiling with sunken panels, called a coffered ceiling.
The building was designed by Nebraska architect William F. Gernandt. The Calhoun County Courthouse is important because it shows the history of county government. It also highlights the importance of Rockwell City as the main town for the county.
