Worth County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Worth County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Central Ave. between 10th and 11th Sts. Northwood, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1893 |
| Built by | S. Road |
| Architect | H.R.P. Hamilton |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000705 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Worth County Courthouse in Northwood, Iowa is a historic building. It was built in 1893 in a style called Romanesque. This building is the second courthouse for Worth County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1981. The courthouse was made of brick and has a small tower. It was made bigger and updated in 1938.
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History of the Worth County Courthouse
The very first courthouse in Worth County was built in 1879. It was finished in 1880. People helped pay for it, giving a total of $5,075. The first courthouse was also made of bricks. It was thought to be quite plain. Only $4,400 of the money collected was used to build it.
The Current Courthouse Building
The current Worth County Courthouse was finished in 1893. This happened after an election decided that Northwood would stay the main town for the county. The building is made of brick. Its base is made of strong limestone. It has a small tower, but it does not have a clock. The original tower was taller and had sharp, pointed roof parts.
Out of the $5,000 donated for this courthouse, only $4,594 was used. The first tower was replaced in 1938. The whole courthouse was also updated at that time.
Civil War Cannon Display
On the courthouse grounds, there is a Civil War cannon. The Worth County Sesquicentennial Commission placed it there in 1996. The part of the cannon that holds it up was made in Northwood. The main part of the cannon was made at the Fort Pitt Foundry. This cannon is an 1861 columbiad, a type of large gun. It used to be located near the Shell Rock River.
Courthouse Updates and Importance
In 1990, the courthouse was expanded. This added new offices, a new jail, and a meeting room. The courthouse is important because it is where the county government works. It also shows how important Northwood is as the county seat.
