Page County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
The Page County Courthouse in Clarinda, Iowa, United States, is a historic building. It was built in 1887 and is an important part of the city's history. This courthouse is where the local government of Page County handles important tasks like court cases and county administration. It's actually the fourth building the county has used for these purposes!
Quick facts for kids |
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Page County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St. Clarinda, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1887 |
| Built by | William Butler |
| Architect | William Foster |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000262 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
Contents
A Look Back: The Courthouse's Story
Early Days of Page County Government
When Page County first started, its main offices were about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Clarinda. But in 1853, Clarinda became the official county seat. This means it became the main town where the county government was located.
The first building used for county business was a simple wooden structure. It was built for the county judge on the north side of the town square. Sadly, this building and many county records were destroyed in a fire in 1858.
Building a Better Courthouse
Before the fire, a two-story wooden building was put up in 1856 to be the courthouse. However, it wasn't big enough or good enough for the county's needs. Because of this, court meetings sometimes had to be held in churches or school buildings.
People tried to get a new courthouse built in 1870 and 1873, but voters didn't approve the plans. So, in 1873, the county leaders decided to build a simpler, smaller courthouse on their own. This building was 44 by 60 feet (13.4 by 18.3 m) and cost $7,456.
The Current Courthouse Takes Shape
Plans for the courthouse we see today began in 1882. The foundations were laid in 1885, and the building was finished in 1887. It cost $86,500 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
In 1950, the clock tower on top of the courthouse had to be removed because bricks were falling from it. It was replaced with a railing and a flagpole the next year.
A Fire and a Grand Comeback
On December 11, 1991, a fire badly damaged the courthouse. But the community came together to fix it! In 1992, voters approved $875,000 to help with repairs. An additional $175,000 was raised through private donations. This money helped to rebuild the courthouse and even bring back the clock tower. The restored courthouse was officially opened again on June 5, 1994.
What Does the Courthouse Look Like?
The Page County Courthouse is a two-story building made of red brick. It has special limestone trim that adds to its look. The main entrance has a stone portico, which is like a covered porch with columns.
The building shows a mix of different architectural styles, including Gothic Revival and Italianate. You can see a wide cornice (a decorative molding) with a detailed frieze (a band of decoration) under the roof's edge.
The windows are all different shapes, like rectangles, triangles, and arches. Some of the arched windows even look like they come to a point. The courthouse has a hipped roof, which slopes down on all sides. In the very center of the roof, there's a tall, square cupola (a small dome-like structure). This cupola has a clock, a steep roof, and decorative wrought iron on top.
The courthouse is important because it represents the county government. It also shows the power and importance of Clarinda as the main town in Page County.
