Edgar County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edgar County Courthouse
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The Edgar County Courthouse in Paris, Illinois.
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St., Paris, Illinois |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1891–93 |
| Architect | Henry Elliot |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000221 |
| Added to NRHP | June 4, 1981 |
The Edgar County Courthouse is a historic building in Paris, Illinois. It serves as the main government building for Edgar County. This courthouse was built between 1891 and 1893. It is the third building to be used as the county's courthouse.
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About the Edgar County Courthouse
The Edgar County Courthouse is a very important place for the people of Edgar County. It's where many official decisions are made. Think of it as the main office for the county's government.
What is a Courthouse?
A courthouse is a building where legal cases are heard and official county business takes place. Judges work there, and important records are kept. It's a central spot for local government and justice.
Design and Style
The courthouse was designed by an architect named Henry Elliot. He used a style called Romanesque Revival. This style often features strong, heavy walls, round arches, and big towers. It looks a bit like old European castles or churches.
The Edgar County Courthouse has four main sides. There are four entrances, one between each pair of sides. Each side has two towers at its ends. The middle part of each side has a tall, pointed roof section called a gable.
Look closely at the towers! Each one has two small windows with pointed roofs. These are called dormers. They look like windows you might see in medieval buildings.
Right in the center of the courthouse, there's a tall iron clock tower. It was added shortly after the building was finished. People often say it looks like a "wedding cake" because of its fancy, layered design.
A Historic Landmark
The Edgar County Courthouse is recognized as a very special building. On June 4, 1981, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of buildings, sites, and objects in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the building and recognize its historical value.
