Marion County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Marion County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St. Knoxville, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1896 |
| Architect | Charles A. Moses Mifflin E. Bell |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000256 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Marion County Courthouse is an important building in Knoxville, Iowa. It was built in 1896. This courthouse is a special place because it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect important buildings in the United States. The Marion County Courthouse is the third building used for court and county business in Marion County.
History of the Courthouse
Marion County was officially started in 1845. A year later, the first courthouse was built. It was a simple wooden building and cost $700. This building was also used as a school and a church for the community.
After 12 years, the county sold the first building. In 1857, a second courthouse was built for about $20,000. This one was a two-story brick building. It was 48 feet wide and 70 feet long. County offices were on the first floor. The courtroom was on the second floor. This building was used for 40 years. Then, it was decided that it was not safe to use anymore.
The courthouse you see today was finished in 1896. It cost $80,000 to build. The architect, Mifflin E. Bell, designed it in the Romanesque Revival style. This style looks strong and grand. The courthouse is important because it shows the history of county government. It also shows how important Knoxville is as the main town, or "county seat," of Marion County.
Monuments on the Square
There are also special monuments around the courthouse. One monument honors soldiers, sailors, and marines from all wars. It was put up on November 11, 1920. This monument is a 25-foot tall granite pillar. It has a Union soldier from the Civil War on top. This spot is special because 40 soldiers joined the army here on February 4, 1863. Inside the courthouse, there is also a display case with items from the Civil War.
Another monument on the square honors Dixie Cornell Gebhardt. She was from Knoxville. She designed the official flag of the state of Iowa.
Courthouse Architecture
The Marion County Courthouse has three stories. It is a simpler version of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The outside of the building is made of limestone. The middle part of the building has special corner towers called turrets. It also has patterned stonework.
The main entrance is set back into the building. It has three large arches supported by granite columns. The main roof of the building is pointed, like a triangle. But the two sections on the ends have roofs that slope down on all sides. Stone windows, called dormers, stick out from the roof.
A large tower stands in the center of the building. It has an open bell chamber where bells would be. There is also a clock with four faces. The very top of the tower is an octagon-shaped spire. One of the small corner towers on the main tower is also a chimney.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio de Justicia del Condado de Marion para niños
