Wright County Courthouse (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wright County Courthouse
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Central Ave. Clarion, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1892 |
| Built by | E.D. Jones & Co. |
| Architect | W.R. Parsons & Son |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| MPS | County Courthouses in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000277 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1981 |
The Wright County Courthouse in Clarion, Iowa, United States, is a historic building. It was built in 1892. This courthouse is important because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This list keeps track of special places in the country. The building has been used for county government and court activities for a long time. It is the fourth building Wright County has used for these important tasks.
History of the Wright County Courthouse
Early Buildings for Wright County Government
When Wright County first started, its government meetings were very simple. In 1855, the county used a log cabin for its first court sessions. This was a basic start for local government.
Later, the county needed a better place. A two-story wooden building became the first real courthouse. This happened when the main county town, called the county seat, moved to Liberty.
Moving the County Seat to Clarion
In 1866, the county seat moved again, this time to Clarion. A new courthouse was built there. This building served the county for many years. After the current courthouse was built in 1892, the old building became part of the Avondale Hotel.
Building the Current Courthouse in 1892
The courthouse you see today was finished in 1892. It is a large, three-story building. It cost about $50,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The building was designed by a company called W.R. Parsons & Son. E.D. Jones & Company built it. The courthouse was updated a lot in 1974 to keep it in good shape.
Architecture of the Wright County Courthouse
Unique Design Features of the Building
The Wright County Courthouse has some special design parts that make it different from other courthouses in Iowa. At the back of the building, there is a large section that sticks out. It has many sides, like a polygon.
The main entrance is set back into the building. It is part of a smaller section that sticks out, called a pavilion. This pavilion has a stone roof and a decorative fence-like railing called a balustrade. One side of this entrance area has a round, curved section.
Special Curved Bays and Clock Tower
You can also see similar round, curved sections on either side of the entrance. These add to the building's unique look. A tall clock tower stands above the courthouse. The building also has a roof with many different sloped sections, called a multi-gabled roof.
Why the Courthouse is Important
This courthouse is important for a few reasons. It shows the history of county government in Wright County. It also represents the power and importance of Clarion as the county seat. The county seat is where the main government offices are located.
