Washington County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington County Courthouse
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | N. B Ave. Washington, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1885-1887 |
| Built by | T. Colwell, H. Colwell |
| Architect | Foster & Liebbe |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Part of | Washington Downtown Historic District (ID13000297) |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000273 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Washington County Courthouse is an important building in Washington, Iowa. It was built in 1887. This courthouse is special because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a historic building worth protecting. It's also part of the Washington Downtown Historic District. This building is the third courthouse that Washington County has used for its government and court activities.
A Look Back: The Courthouse Story
Washington County's first courthouse was a small wooden building. It was about 28 feet long and 18 feet wide. It was built in the 1840s. This building was used for many things. It was a school and a church, as well as a place for court.
The second courthouse was built in 1847. The county leaders were not happy with how it was built. They took $50 off the payment for the dome on top. They also took $110 off the rest of the building's cost.
The courthouse you see today was built in 1887. It cost about $75,000 to build. The design came from a company called Foster & Liebbe in Des Moines, Iowa. Thomas Colwell and Hugh Colwell were the builders.
Building Style: Romanesque Revival
The Washington County Courthouse is a great example of a Victorian Romanesque building. This style uses many different arch shapes. It also has a tall clock tower with three sections.
The courthouse was built using bricks made right there in the local area. Stone was used to trim the building. The bell inside the clock tower is made from bronze, tin, and brass. You can also see statues of Justice and Liberty on the lower part of the tower.
The main entrance you see now was added later. The sides of the building facing south and west have parts that stick out. These parts end in pointed roofs called gables. This courthouse is important because it shows the history of county government. It also shows the importance of Washington as the county seat, which is where the county's main offices are.
