Winterset Courthouse Square Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Winterset Courthouse Square Commercial Historic District
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Green & 2nd Sts., 2nd Ave. & alley S. of Court Ave., Winterset, Iowa |
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| Area | 16 acres (6.5 ha) |
| Architect | William Foster A.H. Piquenard |
| Architectural style | Victorian Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000915 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 2015 |
The Winterset Courthouse Square Commercial Historic District is a special area in Winterset, Iowa. It's known for its old and important buildings. This area was officially recognized as a historic district in 2015. This means it's a place with many buildings that tell a story about the past.
When it was first listed, the district had 82 important features. Most of these were buildings that added to its historic value. The district covers most of the main shopping area in Winterset. Many buildings here are two stories tall and made of brick.
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What Makes the Buildings Special?
Most buildings in the district show the Italianate style of architecture. This style was very popular for commercial buildings. You can also see other styles like Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, and Neoclassical. These different styles make the area interesting to look at.
Famous Buildings in the District
The Madison County Courthouse is a very important building here. It was built in 1878. This courthouse shows the Renaissance Revival style. A famous architect named Alfred H. Piquenard designed it.
Most buildings are made of brick. But four special buildings use local limestone. These stone buildings include the courthouse. Also, the White, Munger and Company Store (built 1861) and the Sprague, Brown, and Knowlton Store (built 1866) are made of stone. These three stone buildings are so important they are listed on their own.
A Look Back in Time
The most important time for this district was from 1861 to 1965. This is when most of the buildings were constructed. Unlike some old towns, Winterset didn't rebuild after big fires. Instead, new brick buildings replaced older wooden ones because the town was growing and doing well.
Architects Who Shaped Winterset
Many talented architects helped design the buildings here. Besides Alfred H. Piquenard, other notable architects include:
- William Foster: He designed the Crawford/Jefferson Block (1873) and the Schwaner/Centennial Block (1876).
- L.W. Foster: He worked on the Madisonian Building (1872) and the City Hall Block/Jones & Tidrick (1875).
- Joseph S. Blake: He designed the Firemen's Hall/City Hall/Light Plant (1888, 1889, 1923).
- Frank E. Wetherell: He remodeled the Bevington Building/Masonic Temple in 1914.
- Louis A. Simon: He designed the U.S. Post Office in 1935.
These architects helped create the unique look of the Winterset Courthouse Square.
