Waseca County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Waseca County Courthouse
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The courthouse from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 307 North State Street, Waseca, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1897 |
| Built by | J.D. Carroll |
| Architect | Orff & Joralemon |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003070 |
| Designated | September 2, 1982 |
The Waseca County Courthouse is an important building in Waseca, Minnesota, USA. It is where the local government for Waseca County operates. Built in 1897, this building has a special design style called Richardsonian Romanesque.
In 1982, the courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site for the state of Minnesota. It was recognized for its unique architecture and its role in local government. The building also played a big part in the growth of Waseca as the main town, or "county seat," for the area.
Discover the Courthouse Building
The Waseca County Courthouse is a two-story building. It is made from strong Kasota limestone and light-colored brick. A tall bell and clock-tower stands proudly on top.
The building was designed by architects Orff and Joralemon from Minneapolis. J. D. Carroll built it for about $55,833. At the entrance, you can see shiny granite columns. These columns support three large arches. Inside, the building has beautiful details. These include wood panels on the walls, oak woodwork, and tiled fireplaces. There is also etched glass, fancy paneled doors, and marble floors.
A Brief History of the Courthouse
The building of the Waseca County Courthouse was a big event. It marked a major effort to move the county's main government offices. When Waseca County was first set up in 1857, the town of Wilton was the county seat.
About ten years later, the Winona and St. Peter Railroad decided to build its tracks. They chose a path about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Wilton. This new route went right through the small town of Waseca. Waseca quickly started to grow and become a busy place.
People then wanted to move the county seat to the booming town of Waseca. This idea was put to a public vote in the 1870 election. The proposal passed, meaning Waseca would become the new county seat. That very night, all the county's records and furniture were moved to a new building in Waseca. The new county office opened for business the next day. This first building was later replaced by the current courthouse in 1897.
