Harlan Courthouse Square Commercial District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harlan Courthouse Square Commercial District
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The Shelby County Courthouse in Harlan, Iowa
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Market, 6th, 7th, and Court Sts., around Courthouse Sq. Harlan, Iowa |
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| Area | 6.8 acres (2.8 ha) |
| Built | 1882 |
| Architect | C.E. Bell, et al. |
| Architectural style | Italianate Queen Anne Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001099 |
| Added to NRHP | September 23, 1994 |
The Harlan Courthouse Square Commercial District is a special area in Harlan, Iowa, United States. It's known for its old and important buildings. This district is officially recognized as a historic district because of its unique history and architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Contents
What Makes This District Historic?
When the district was added to the National Register, it included 54 important features. These features are called "resources." Most of them were "contributing buildings." This means they help tell the story of the district's history. There was also one "contributing site" and one "contributing object."
Exploring the District's Layout
The Harlan Courthouse Square Commercial District is shaped like a cross. It covers most of the main shopping area in Harlan. This area is part of the city's original plan. Most of the buildings here are two stories tall and made of brick. They were built for businesses.
Discovering Architectural Styles
Many buildings in the district show off popular styles from the past. The two main styles you'll see are Commercial Italianate and Queen Anne. These styles have unique features like decorative windows and fancy brickwork.
The Shelby County Courthouse
A very important building in the district is the Shelby County Courthouse. It was built in 1893. This courthouse is made of stone and has a strong, grand look. Its style is called Richardsonian Romanesque, which often features heavy stone and rounded arches.
Special Sites and Objects
The block where the courthouse stands is very important. The four half-blocks around it and the alleys behind them are also part of the historic site. These areas help show how the town grew. There are also special objects in the district. The Soldier's Monument on the square is one of these "contributing objects." It has been there for a long time. Another monument, the POW/MIA Monument, is also there. However, it is considered a "noncontributing object" because it was built more recently.
