Warren County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Warren County Courthouse |
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| General information | |
| Type | Courthouse |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Address | 115 N. Howard Ave. |
| Town or city | Indianola, Iowa |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 41°21′40″N 93°33′41″W / 41.36111°N 93.56139°W |
| Completed | May 2021 (estimated) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | Two |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Shive-Hattery |
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Warren County Court House
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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| Area | Less than 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1939 |
| Built by | F.B. Dickinson & Co. |
| Architect | Keffer and Jones |
| Architectural style | PWA Moderne |
| MPS | PWA-Era County Courthouses of IA MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000818 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | August 28, 2003 |
| Removed from NRHP | September 19, 2019 |
The Warren County Courthouse is a very important building in Indianola, Iowa, in the United States. It's where many county government activities happen. The courthouse built in 1939 was once listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This list recognizes important historical places.
This 1939 building was the third one used by Warren County for its court and government work. However, it was taken down in 2019. A brand new courthouse and justice center is expected to be finished in 2021.
Contents
A Look Back: Early Courthouses
Warren County has had several courthouses over the years. Each one served the community in its own way.
The First Two Courthouses
The very first courthouse was a simple log cabin. It was built in 1851. This cabin was about 20 feet wide and 30 feet long.
Later, in 1868, a new building was constructed. It was built in the Victorian style. Over time, this building was not taken care of very well. Its walls started to bulge outwards. Eventually, part of the building even fell onto the sidewalk!
The Third Courthouse: Built and Gone
The third courthouse was a big project for Warren County. It had an interesting story, from its planning to its eventual removal.
Planning and Building the Third Courthouse
In 1936, people voted on whether to build a new courthouse. The idea was voted down, even though money was available. This money came from the Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA was a government program that helped build things during the Great Depression.
Two years later, in 1938, another vote was held. This time, the plan to build a new courthouse was approved! The PWA again offered money to help with the costs. An architect named Earl Jones designed the building. He was from Indianola and worked for a firm called Keffer & Jones.
Construction started in October 1938. The main stone of the building, called the cornerstone, was placed in December of that year. The whole building cost $145,000 to build.
A Big Celebration
The new courthouse was officially opened on August 24, 1939. It was a huge celebration! More than 12,000 people came to the event.
The celebration included a parade and sports games. People could also take a tour of the new courthouse. There were concerts and even a street dance. The main speaker at the event was John Gross, who was the president of Simpson College.
Changes Over Time
In 1988, a new section was added to the back of the courthouse. This addition was for law enforcement. It was about 50 feet long and 36 feet wide. The materials used for this new part matched the original building.
Later, in 1998, the county bought the old Indianola High School. This old school building was also important historically. It was turned into the Warren County Administration Building. This is where many county offices are located now.
Why the Third Courthouse Was Demolished
Problems with the courthouse building started around 2014. People began to worry about mold inside. The old sewer line for the building broke apart. This caused sewer problems and bad smells inside the courthouse.
Because of health concerns, court offices in the courthouse closed in 2016. Two years later, the jail section also closed. This was due to problems with building safety rules. Finally, in May 2019, the old courthouse and jail began to be taken down.
A New Beginning: The Fourth Courthouse
Warren County is now building its fourth courthouse. This new building will be a modern and safe place for county services.
Designing the New Building
The new courthouse and justice center is being designed by a company called Shive-Hattery. This new building will have two floors and a full basement. It will be about 80,000 square feet in size.
The plans for the new building include four courtrooms. It will also have offices for the county attorney and the sheriff. A new jail will be part of the building too. Some areas, like those for helping young people and probation services, will be added later. The building is being designed so it can be made bigger in the future if needed.
Location and Completion
The new courthouse will be built in the same spot as the old one. This is on the town square in Indianola. The project is expected to cost about $29.9 million. It is planned to be finished in May 2021.
Architecture of the Third Courthouse
The third courthouse had a special look. It was built in a style called Depression Modern or PWA Moderne.
Style and Features
The building had a balanced look. The middle part was two stories tall. On each side, there were lower sections. It was built on a raised basement. The outside was made of light brown bricks. It also had trim made from Bedford limestone.
Inside, long hallways ran through the building. County offices opened up into these hallways. The building had special features like colorful terrazzo floors. It also had marble wainscoting, which is wood paneling on the lower part of walls. Acoustic tiles were used to help with sound. The courtroom originally had dark wood and Art Deco decorations. The county jail was located on the third floor.
The Courthouse Square
The courthouse was located on the town square. This square was also important to the building's historical listing. The corners of the property were rounded. The square had a flagpole, a small open building called a gazebo, and a flower garden. There was also a parking lot. Many trees covered the square.
