Decatur County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Decatur County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9th St. Leon, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Smith, Wetherell and Gage |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000233 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Decatur County Courthouse is an important building in Leon, Iowa. It was built in 1908 and is where the local government for Decatur County does its work. This includes keeping important records and holding court. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical building in the United States. It's actually the sixth building the county has used for its official business!
Contents
History of the Courthouse
The first courthouse in Decatur County was a simple log cabin. It was built in Leon for $375. But the county quickly grew too big for it. So, the log cabin became a hotel instead!
Early Buildings and Challenges
The county then built a small new courthouse. However, it was declared unusable soon after it was finished. The next courthouse faced an even bigger problem. It was destroyed by a strong windstorm before it was even completed!
After that, a fourth courthouse was built. Sadly, a fire destroyed this building. Many important county records were lost in that fire too.
The Fifth Courthouse and Its Surprises
The fifth courthouse was made of brick. It cost $20,000 to build. In 1876, something dramatic happened there. Some people tried to open the county treasurer's safe. They used explosives, which blew up one side of the building! Luckily, they couldn't get into the safe. The building was repaired and continued to serve as the courthouse. It was used until the current building replaced it in 1908.
The Current Decatur County Courthouse
The courthouse you see today is a two-story building. It sits on top of a raised basement. The main parts of the building are covered in brick. The foundation is made of strong stone.
Architectural Style and Features
The building was designed by a company called Smith, Wetherell and Gage. They were architects from Des Moines. They designed the courthouse in a style called Renaissance Revival. This style often looks grand and uses ideas from old Roman and Greek buildings.
The most noticeable part of the courthouse is its tall clock tower right in the middle. Another special feature is the way the windows on the second and third floors are framed. They have a unique design around them.
Built to Last
Many different materials were used to build this courthouse. These include iron, stone, steel, tile, brick, marble, and granite. All these strong materials were chosen for a good reason. They help protect the building from fire, strong winds, and other damage.
The courthouse is very important because it's where the county government operates. It also shows the importance and power of Leon as the county seat. The county seat is the main town where the government offices are located.
