Dallas County Courthouse (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
The Dallas County Courthouse in Adel, Iowa
, United States
was built in 1902. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1973, and is a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. The courthouse is the fourth building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
first courthouse was a log cabin constructed of cottonwood logs and served the county from 1848-1853. A second courthouse was built and used for another five years when the third courthouse was built. It was a two-story brick structure that measured 64 by 42 feet, and was built for $20,000. The present courthouse was authorized around the turn of the 20th century and its dedication was held in September 1902.
, was modeled on a French castle and cost $109,243 to build. It is constructed of Bedford stone
and features a tower that is 128 feet (39 m) high. Statues of the goddess of Justice flank the main entrance. A clock that cost $1,000 is in the tower. An ongoing renovation project in recent years has seen courtrooms and halls repainted in their original color schemes and the rotunda
has been restored. New light fixtures match the wrought iron of the Grand Stair Case. The final stage of the project is an $80,000 restoration of the artwork on the ceiling.
Adel, Iowa
Adel is a city along the North Raccoon River in Dallas County in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 3,435 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dallas County and the birthplace of 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was built in 1902. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973, and is a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. The courthouse is the fourth building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
History
Dallas County’sDallas County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 66,135 in the county, with a population density of . There were 27,260 housing units, of which 25,240 were occupied.-2000 census:...
first courthouse was a log cabin constructed of cottonwood logs and served the county from 1848-1853. A second courthouse was built and used for another five years when the third courthouse was built. It was a two-story brick structure that measured 64 by 42 feet, and was built for $20,000. The present courthouse was authorized around the turn of the 20th century and its dedication was held in September 1902.
Architecture
The courthouse, designed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot & BirdProudfoot & Bird
Proudfoot & Bird et al. was an American architectural firm or partnership that designed many buildings in the U.S. midwest. Partners included Willis Thomas Proudfoot and George Washington Bird and Harry Dustan Rawson...
, was modeled on a French castle and cost $109,243 to build. It is constructed of Bedford stone
Indiana Limestone
Indiana Limestone, also known as Bedford Limestone is a common regional term for Salem limestone, a geological formation primarily quarried in south central Indiana between Bloomington and Bedford....
and features a tower that is 128 feet (39 m) high. Statues of the goddess of Justice flank the main entrance. A clock that cost $1,000 is in the tower. An ongoing renovation project in recent years has seen courtrooms and halls repainted in their original color schemes and the rotunda
Rotunda (architecture)
A rotunda is any building with a circular ground plan, sometimes covered by a dome. It can also refer to a round room within a building . The Pantheon in Rome is a famous rotunda. A Band Rotunda is a circular bandstand, usually with a dome...
has been restored. New light fixtures match the wrought iron of the Grand Stair Case. The final stage of the project is an $80,000 restoration of the artwork on the ceiling.