Johnson County Courthouse (Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Johnson County Courthouse
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Johnson County Courthouse
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | Buffalo, Wyoming |
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| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | Curran, Edward & James |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001951 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1976 |
The Johnson County Courthouse is an important building in Buffalo, Wyoming. It was built a long time ago, in 1884. This building is a great example of the Italianate style. Right next to it is the old Johnson County Library. Both buildings are special because they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important historical sites.
Contents
Building the Courthouse
Planning a New County Building
Back on April 19, 1881, the governor of Wyoming chose two people to be the first county commissioners for Johnson County, Wyoming. These commissioners were like a local government council. They quickly set up the first county election on April 27, 1881.
After the election, the new commissioners met on June 27, 1881. They decided to buy a building that used to be a dance hall and some stables. They planned to use these buildings as offices for the county's important work.
Why a New Building Was Needed
By November 1883, it became clear that the old dance hall wasn't a good place for the county's records. Important papers and documents needed a safer home. The building was also in bad shape, and fixing it wouldn't be worth the effort.
So, the commissioners decided that Johnson County needed a brand new building. This new place would hold all the county's records, have courtrooms for legal cases, and even a place for prisoners. On April 30, 1884, they asked different builders to offer prices for the new building.
Choosing the Builders
The commissioners looked at all the offers on June 8, 1884. The lowest price came from Edward and James Curran, who offered to build it for $81,650. Their offer was accepted, and they were chosen to construct the new courthouse.
Courthouse Design and Features
Italianate Style and Materials
The Johnson County Courthouse is a fantastic example of the Italianate style. You can see this style in its special window openings. These windows have a unique arch shape and strong, decorative stones above them called keystones. The building also has decorative brackets, called consoles, under the roof's edge.
The red bricks used for the courthouse were made from clay found just south of the Buffalo City Park. The lime needed for the mortar (the "glue" between the bricks) came from special kilns located at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains.
Changes Over Time
The courthouse looks much like it did when it was built in 1884. It's a two-story building made of red brick and sits a bit higher than the street. There used to be a bell tower, but it was removed.
A white border was painted under the roof's edge. Above the main entrance, which faces east, there's a symbol of a rising sun. The doorway itself is set back into the building.
In the early days, the building was heated by wood and coal stoves. Later, a steam heating system was put in. When this happened, the bricks of the foundation were covered with cement, and a chimney on the north side was taken down.
At one point, there was a hallway leading to a door on the south side. But the county needed more storage space for important items. So, the door was closed off, and a strong vault was built where the hallway used to be. The main courtroom was updated after World War II. More recent changes happened in 1973-1974, including a new enclosed counter in the main hallway. The jail, which used to be inside, has now been moved to a separate building.
Some parts of the courthouse have stayed the same. The two long, curving wooden stairways, one at each end of the main hall, are still in excellent condition. They have beautiful decorative parts. The main hallway also has special wooden panels that make it unique.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio de Justicia del Condado de Johnson (Wyoming) para niños
