Muscatine County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Muscatine County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3rd St. Muscatine, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1909 |
| Built by | J.W. McAlpine |
| Architect | J.E. Mills |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000260 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Muscatine County Courthouse is an important building in Muscatine, Iowa. It was built in 1909. This courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special building with a lot of history. It's the third building Muscatine County has used for its court and government offices.
Contents
A Look Back: The Courthouse Story
Early Buildings and Challenges
Muscatine County started in 1837. The town of Bloomington, now called Muscatine, became the county seat. This means it was the main town for county government. In 1838, land was bought for the first courthouse. It cost just $1.25 for each acre.
The first courthouse was built in 1840. It was made of brick with a strong stone base. This building cost $15,000 to build. Sadly, a fire destroyed it on December 17, 1864.
Three years later, a second courthouse was built. This one cost $29,000. It was a two-story brick building. It had a grand entrance with six tall columns. There was also a dome on top. A statue of the Goddess of Justice stood on the building. She held scales in one hand. Strong winds broke off her arm. The statue was later removed because it kept falling apart.
Building the Current Courthouse
The courthouse you see today was started in 1907. It was built in the same spot as the old one. First, the big columns from the old building had to be moved.
An architect named J.E. Mills from Detroit designed the new building. He used the Beaux Arts style. J.W. McAlpine from Dixon, Illinois was the builder.
What Makes It Special: The Design
Outside the Building
The Muscatine County Courthouse sits on a large, green square. It is close to the main part of town. This building has three stories. It is made from strong stone and concrete.
The front of the building is very grand. It has a central entrance supported by four tall columns. These columns are called Corinthian columns. They start on the second floor and go up to the roofline. At the top, there's a triangular part called a pediment with a round window.
Parts of the building stick out on the sides. These are called pavilions. On top of the courthouse, there is a two-part bell and clock tower. It has open sides and a dome on top.
Why This Building Matters
The Muscatine County Courthouse is important for a few reasons. It shows the history of county government. It also represents the power and importance of Muscatine. This is because Muscatine is the county seat. It is where many important decisions for the county are made.
