Old Martin County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Martin County Court House
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Front (north) facade
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | 80 East Ocean Boulevard Stuart, Florida |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | L. Phillips Clarke; builder: Chalker & Lund |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement, Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001329 |
| Added to NRHP | November 07, 1997 |
The Old Martin County Court House is a special building in Stuart. It was built in 1937 and has a cool, modern look called Art Deco style. You can find it at 80 East Ocean Boulevard in Martin County, Florida.
This building is very important historically. In 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a place worth saving because of its history. Later, in 2007, it was also added to the Martin County Historic Register. Today, it's called the Courthouse Cultural Center and is home to the Arts Council, Inc. This group helps support art and culture in Martin County.
Building History
This courthouse was designed by an architect named L. Phillips Clarke. It was built by Chalker & Lund. The building has strong concrete walls and shiny terrazzo floors. It was built during a time called the WPA. The WPA was a government program that helped people find jobs during the Great Depression by building important public projects.
The 1937 building was an addition to an older courthouse. The first courthouse was actually an old school building from 1908! When Martin County was created in 1925, they turned the school into a courthouse. The words "Martin County Court House" were carved into the front of the new 1937 addition. These words are still there today.
Growing Pains and New Additions
Over time, the county grew, and they needed more space. In 1954, the county bought a building next door. This building used to be a car dealership and then a grocery store. They turned it into an extra part of the courthouse, called an annex.
At the same time, they built new sections to connect the 1937 courthouse with the old school building and the new annex. These new parts helped make more room for the growing county.
Saving the Building
Eventually, the county needed even more space. They decided to build a brand new, bigger courthouse complex. The plan was to tear down the old school building and all the additions, including the 1937 courthouse.
But the people of Stuart really wanted to save the 1937 building. They worked with the city to convince the county leaders to keep it. Their efforts worked! The 1937 building was saved. It was then turned into the cultural center we know today. This way, a piece of history was preserved for everyone to enjoy.
