Kennebec County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kennebec County Courthouse
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 95 State St., Augusta, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1829 |
| Built by | Vose, Robert C. |
| Architect | Cochran, James |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000169 |
| Added to NRHP | July 25, 1974 |
The Kennebec County Courthouse is an important old building in Augusta, Maine. Augusta is the capital city of Maine. It is also the main town, or "county seat," for Kennebec County.
This courthouse was built way back in 1829. It has been made bigger two times since then. It's one of the oldest buildings in Maine that shows off a style called Greek Revival architecture. It's also the first known building in Maine to have a "Greek temple front."
Today, the building is mostly used for county offices. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's a special historical place worth protecting.
Contents
What Does the Courthouse Look Like?
The Kennebec County Courthouse is located in Augusta, Maine. It stands on State Street, near the city's main downtown area. A newer courthouse is right next door. That's where most of the county's court activities happen today.
Building Materials and Design
The old courthouse is a two-story building. It's made mostly from rough-cut granite stone. But it also has smooth, finely cut granite for decoration. The main part of the building is shaped like a rectangle. It has a central section with a pointed roof, called a gable. On each side are wings with flat, sloping roofs.
The Famous Greek Temple Front
The front of the building is very special. It has a full triangular roof section, called a pediment. This pediment is held up by six tall granite columns. These columns are in the Doric style, which is a classic Greek design.
On top of the building, there's a wooden bell tower. Its corners are also supported by groups of Doric columns. Lighter granite blocks decorate the corners of the building. Iron railings connect the columns on the second floor, adding to its grand look.
History of the Kennebec County Courthouse
The Kennebec County Courthouse was built in 1829. A person named James Cochran designed it and also managed its construction.
Changes Over Time
The building was made larger two times. The first time was in 1851, and the second was in 1907. Both times, more granite was added to the back of the building. These additions were made to match the original style.
Architectural Importance
This courthouse is a great example of early Greek Revival architecture in Maine. It's especially important because it's the first building in the state known to have a "temple front." This design makes it look like an ancient Greek temple.
