Polk County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Polk County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6th and Mulberry Sts. Des Moines, Iowa |
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| Area | approximately 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | Proudfoot & Bird |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000925 |
| Added to NRHP | April 30, 1979 |
The Polk County Courthouse is a historic building in Des Moines, Iowa. It was built in 1906 and is where many important county decisions are made. This building is famous for its beautiful design. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it is recognized as a special historical site. It is the third building that Polk County has used for its court and government work.
Contents
History of the Courthouses
Polk County has had three main buildings for its courthouse over the years. Each one helped the county grow and manage its daily business.
The First Courthouse (1847)
The very first courthouse for Polk County was built in 1847. It cost $2,015 to build. This building was made of brick and was about 52 feet long and 26 feet wide. It was located just south of where the current courthouse stands. After the second courthouse was finished, this first building was sold. A church bought it for $800. Later, it became a train station, serving the Wabash and Des Moines Union Railroads.
The Second Courthouse (1858)
The second courthouse was built in 1858. It was much bigger and more expensive, costing $94,000. This building had two stories and was designed in the Italianate style. J.C. Farrand was the architect who designed it. A cool feature of this building was its dome, which rose 87 feet high. The building itself was 102 feet long and 66 feet wide. In 1866, the county made this courthouse even larger to meet its needs.
The Current Courthouse (1906)
The courthouse you see today was built in 1906. It stands on the same spot as the previous courthouse. This grand building cost $750,000 to construct. It was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, which is known for being very fancy and classical. The building is a large rectangle, measuring 242 feet long and 132 feet wide. The Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot & Bird designed it. It is one of the biggest and most important courthouses in all of Iowa because of its size and amazing design.
Architecture of the Building
The Polk County Courthouse is a four-story building. It is made from a type of stone called Grey Canyon Sandstone. This gives it a strong and impressive look.
Exterior Features
In the middle of the building, there is a part that sticks out called a loggia. It has three arches on the first floor. Above these arches, eight tall Corinthian columns rise from the third floor all the way to the top of the fourth floor. These columns add to its grand appearance. On each corner of the building, there are also parts that stick out, called projecting pavilions. From the center of the building, a tall, square clock tower rises up. It has three sections and is topped with a small dome-like structure called a cupola.
Interior Design
Inside the courthouse, you'll find even more beauty. There is a large stained glass dome in the center, which lets colorful light stream in. The interior also features shiny marble columns. Look closely, and you might see beautiful paintings called murals. These murals were created by famous artists Charles A. Cummings and Edward Simmons. They add to the historical and artistic value of the building.
