Chippewa County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chippewa County Courthouse
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1877 |
| Architect | William Scott, R.C. Sweat |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Part of | Sault Ste. Marie Historic Commercial District (ID100005683) |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001381 |
| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1984 |
The Chippewa County Courthouse is an important government building in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It's where many local government activities happen. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It is one of the oldest courthouses in Michigan that is still being used today.
Contents
History of the Courthouse
How Chippewa County Started
Chippewa County was created in 1826. It was separated from a much larger area called Michilimackinac County. Sault Ste. Marie was chosen as the "county seat." This means it became the main town for the county's government.
Building the Courthouse
The Chippewa County Courthouse was built in 1877. It cost $20,000 at that time. The building was designed by William Scott, an architect from Detroit, and his son John.
Additions and Updates
Over the years, the courthouse grew. In 1904, a new section was added to the back. This addition cost $25,000 and was designed by R. C. Sweat. Another part was built around 1930. In the 1980s, the courthouse was completely updated. Workers carefully removed old paint from the wood. They also put in new doors and windows. The face of the tower clock was fixed and looked new again.
Design and Look
The Chippewa County Courthouse has three stories. It is built from cut stone. The building shows a style called Second Empire architecture. This style was popular in the late 1800s.
Building Shape and Materials
The original courthouse was shaped like a rectangle. After the 1904 addition, it became T-shaped. The stone walls are very thick, about 2 feet (0.6 meters) wide. The building uses two different colors of stone. Red-colored stone is used for decorative bands, corner blocks, and above windows and doors.
Special Features
The main entrance is in a part that sticks out slightly. It has a triangular top called a pediment. The windows on the first floor have a rounded top. Windows on the second floor have a more oval-shaped top. Both the main building and the clock tower have a special roof called a mansard roof. This roof was once covered with slate, but now it has asphalt shingles. Round windows were added to the mansard roof in 1904.
Inside the Courthouse
Inside the courthouse, you can still see the original ceilings. They are made of stamped tin. The pillars in the courtroom have fancy tops made of cast iron. Even the radiators are covered with decorative metal screens.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio de Justicia del Condado de Chippewa para niños
