Washington County Courthouse (Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington County Courthouse
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Washington County Courthouse, 2013
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 85 Court St., Machias, Maine |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architect | Benjamin S. Deane |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000119 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1976 |
The Washington County Courthouse is a historic building located in Machias, Maine. Machias is the main town, or "county seat," for Washington County, Maine. This courthouse was built in 1853. It is a brick building designed by Benjamin S. Deane and has a special architectural style called Italianate. Today, it is home to the Machias District Court and other important county offices. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
About the Courthouse Building
The Washington County Courthouse stands at the corner of Cooper and Court Streets in the heart of Machias. It is connected to the Washington County Jail by a newer section. The building is two and a half stories tall and made of brick. It has a sloped roof and a strong granite base.
Architectural Style
On top of the roof, there is a square tower. The top part of the tower has open arches and decorative columns, with a fancy edge above them. The front of the building has a triangular section, called a pediment, with a round window in the middle. This pediment has detailed decorations.
The windows on the first floor are set into arched openings. The windows on the second floor are tall and also have arched tops. A granite line separates the first and second floors. The brick columns on the second floor add to the building's classic look.
History of the Courthouse
The courthouse was built in 1853. It was designed by an architect named Benjamin S. Deane from Bangor, Maine. Deane taught himself how to be an architect. He was one of the first professional architects to work in the Down East Maine area.
Deane also designed the courthouse for Waldo County, Maine. That building has a similar style, mixing Greek Revival and Italianate designs.
