Old Iroquois County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Iroquois County Courthouse
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The courthouse in 2006, photographed by Calvin Beale
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cherry St. at 2nd St., Watseka, Illinois |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1866 |
| Built by | Mantor, A.C. |
| Architect | Leach, C.B. |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000663 |
| Added to NRHP | June 13, 1975 |
The Old Iroquois County Courthouse is a special building in Watseka, Illinois. It was once the main courthouse for Iroquois County. Today, it is known as the Iroquois County Museum. This historic building was used as a courthouse from 1866 until 1964.
The building has a unique style called Italianate. This means it looks like buildings from 16th-century Italy. C.B. Leach designed it, and A.C. Mantor built it. Besides being a courthouse, it also held the county jail and the sheriff's home. Over the years, the building changed. In 1881, a new part was added. The original eight-sided tower was replaced with a square one. Another addition was built in 1927. At that time, the copper dome on top was removed. A sloped, four-sided roof called a mansard roof was put in its place.
A Building's Journey
When a new courthouse was finished in 1964, officials planned to tear down the old one. But people in the community spoke up. They wanted to save the historic building. Because of their efforts, the county decided not to demolish it right away.
The old courthouse sat empty and uncared for until 1967. That year, a group called the Iroquois County Historical Society was formed. They bought the building to turn it into a museum. This saved the courthouse and gave it a new purpose.
The Iroquois County Museum
Today, the Old Iroquois County Courthouse is a busy museum. It is home to the county's collection of family history records. The museum also has many interesting things for visitors to see.
- You can find collections of rocks and fossils.
- There are artifacts from Native American cultures.
- You can see old dolls and many other historical items.
The room that was once the main courtroom is now used for events. It serves as a theater and a concert hall. This means the building continues to be an important part of the community.
A Place of History
The courthouse was recognized for its historical importance on June 13, 1975. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the building for future generations.
