Lafayette County Courthouse (Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lafayette County Courthouse
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Lafayette County Courthouse
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| Location | 626 Main St. Darlington, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1905-1907 |
| Architect | Kinney & Detweiler |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000114 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1978 |
The Lafayette County Courthouse is a beautiful building in Darlington, Wisconsin. It was built in 1905 and has a classic, grand style called Neoclassical. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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A Courthouse Built by One Person
Before this courthouse, an older stone building stood in the same spot since 1861. By the early 1900s, more space was needed for the county's work.
A man named Matt Murphy from Benton, Wisconsin had a special fund. This fund was originally meant to help families of soldiers from the Civil War. However, the government later took over this responsibility.
So, Matt Murphy decided to use the money for something else important. He gave this fund, plus 70% of his own money, to Lafayette County. This huge gift helped build the new courthouse. The building cost over $136,000. It is the only county courthouse in the United States that was paid for entirely by one person.
Who Designed This Special Building?
The courthouse was designed by architects Menno S. Detweiler and Frank W. Kinney. They were from Minneapolis. They chose the Neoclassical style, which looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings.
What the Courthouse Looks Like
The main part of the building has three stories. It is covered in light brown limestone. The corners have special stone blocks that make them stand out.
The main entrance sticks out from the building. It looks like a small Greek temple with two columns. Above the entrance, there is a stone carving. This carving shows Matt Murphy, the man who funded the building. The roof is sloped on all sides.
From the very center of the roof, a tall, decorative tower rises. This tower is called a cupola. The first part of the cupola has columns between windows. These windows have clock faces above them. The top part of the cupola is shaped like an octagon and is covered in copper.
Inside the Courthouse
When you step inside, light streams down from a skylight in the cupola. This light brightens the center of the building. The walls have marble at the bottom, called wainscoting. The floor has cool hexagonal tiles. You can also see beautiful arches and large paintings, called murals. These murals show important ideas like Justice, Equality, Courage, and Liberty.
Fun Fact: Movie Magic!
The Lafayette County Courthouse is so unique that it was even used in a movie! Scenes from the 2009 film Public Enemies were filmed right here at the courthouse.
