Clay County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Clay County Courthouse
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 4th St. and 3rd Ave. Spencer, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1901 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000229 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Clay County Courthouse in Spencer, Iowa, is a very important building. It was built in 1901 and helps run the local government. This courthouse is special because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a significant historical building in the United States. It's actually the fourth building that Clay County has used for its main government offices and court activities.
Contents
History of the Clay County Courthouse
Choosing a County Seat
When Clay County was first set up, a group of people chose Spencer Township as the main town, called the "county seat." The county seat is where the government offices are located. But the local voters disagreed! They chose Peterson, Iowa instead. They even decided to spend $6,000 to build a courthouse there.
The First Courthouses
The first contractor building the courthouse asked for $7,500. He ended up getting $6,900 for his work. By 1871, more people were moving to the northern part of the county. Because of this, the county seat moved to Spencer. A special company was formed to build a new courthouse in Spencer. This building was later sold to the county for $1,333.
Over time, the county offices needed more space. So, they built a new, two-story brick courthouse for $4,435. The older courthouse was used for different things after that. It became a barn, then a factory, and was even turned into two houses!
The Current Building
People in the county eventually wanted a nicer courthouse. So, they made plans for the building you see today. Construction started in 1900 and finished just one year later. This impressive building cost $60,000 to build.
The current Clay County Courthouse is made of red stone. It's built in a style called Neoclassical architecture, which looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It has a special small tower on top called a cupola. This cupola has a shiny bronze-covered dome and a clock. The courthouse is important because it shows the power and importance of the county government. It also highlights Spencer's role as the main town of Clay County.
