Poweshiek County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Poweshiek County Courthouse
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Front of the courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 302 E. Main St. Montezuma, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1859 |
| Architect | Drake & Dryden |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Montezuma Downtown Historic District (ID12000131) |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000266 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Poweshiek County Courthouse is a historic building in Montezuma, Iowa. It was built in 1859. This courthouse is a very important part of the county's history.
In 1981, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings that are important to American history. Later, in 2012, it became part of the Montezuma Downtown Historic District. This means it helps make up a historic area in the town. The courthouse is the second building used for county government in Poweshiek County.
A Look Back: The Courthouse's Story
Poweshiek County had its first courthouse in 1850. It was a two-story wooden building. This first building was on the northeast side of the town square. It was used for many things. It served as a school, a church, and a meeting place. Of course, it was also where court was held.
The main courtroom was on the first floor. County offices were on the second floor. Later, this first courthouse was changed into a house.
The courthouse you see today was built in 1856. It cost $1,928.15 to build. That was a lot of money back then! Drake & Dryden were the architects and builders. They designed it in the Greek Revival style. This style looks like ancient Greek temples. It is one of the oldest courthouses in Iowa. It is also one of the few left in this special style.
An addition was put on the building in 1890. Major repairs were done in 1933. Another addition was completed in 1982. This one was on the south side of the building.
What Does It Look Like?
The courthouse is a two-story building. It is made of dark red bricks. A large square brick tower stands on the front of the building. This tower rises up to a white, eight-sided bell tower. On top of the bell tower is a white dome.
The main entrance is an arched doorway. It is at the bottom of the tower. The building also has triangular sections at the roofline. These are called pedimented gable ends. There is a wide decorative band below the roof. This band has vertical grooves called triglyphs. Tall, flat columns called pilasters decorate the walls. Their tops reach the second-story windows. The lower part of the building, called the raised basement, is made of rough stone.
This courthouse is important for a few reasons. It shows the history of county government. It also represents the importance of Montezuma. Montezuma is the county seat, which means it is the main town for county business.
