Marshall County Courthouse (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
The Marshall County Courthouse is located in Marshalltown, Iowa
. The current building was completed in 1886 to replace an earlier building. The courthouse is a dominant landmark in downtown Marshalltown.
voted for a $100,000 courthouse to be built on the public square in Marshalltown deeded by Henry Anson. The former courthouse was a two story brick building located at 10-12 South 1st Avenue. The cornerstone
of the new building was laid in 1884 and the new courthouse was dedicated in 1886.
The building was designed by John C. Cochrane
, whose firm had designed the State Capitol Building
in Des Moines. The courthouse was constructed using native limestone
over brick. In 1972 the building had been placed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
In 1973 the State Fire Marshall ordered the building repaired or removed. The Courthouse had been well maintained until the market crash of 1929. During the Great Depression
and war years, taxpayers could not afford to pay for needed repairs, so the building began to deteriorate. The Friends of the Courthouse Committee, a newly-formed organization, decided to save the building. A referendum was held and it was decided to restore the courthouse. In 1974 voters approved a $3.2 million bond issue to pay for the renovation. The renovated Courthouse was rededicated on November 19, 1978.
Marshalltown, Iowa
Marshalltown is a city in and the county seat of Marshall County, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,552 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 26,009 population in the 2000 census. -History:...
. The current building was completed in 1886 to replace an earlier building. The courthouse is a dominant landmark in downtown Marshalltown.
History
In 1881 citizens of Marshall CountyMarshall County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 40,648 in the county, with a population density of . There were 16,831 housing units, of which 15,538 were occupied.-2000 census:...
voted for a $100,000 courthouse to be built on the public square in Marshalltown deeded by Henry Anson. The former courthouse was a two story brick building located at 10-12 South 1st Avenue. The cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
of the new building was laid in 1884 and the new courthouse was dedicated in 1886.
The building was designed by John C. Cochrane
John C. Cochrane
John Crombie Cochrane was a prominent architect in the 19th century practicing in Chicago, Illinois. He formed Cochrane and Garnsey with George O. Garnsey.He designed numerous buildings, including:...
, whose firm had designed the State Capitol Building
Iowa State Capitol
The Iowa State Capitol is located in Iowa's capital city, Des Moines, and houses the Iowa Senate, Iowa House of Representatives, the Office of the Governor, and the Offices of the Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State...
in Des Moines. The courthouse was constructed using native limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
over brick. In 1972 the building had been placed 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 the State Fire Marshall ordered the building repaired or removed. The Courthouse had been well maintained until the market crash of 1929. During the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and war years, taxpayers could not afford to pay for needed repairs, so the building began to deteriorate. The Friends of the Courthouse Committee, a newly-formed organization, decided to save the building. A referendum was held and it was decided to restore the courthouse. In 1974 voters approved a $3.2 million bond issue to pay for the renovation. The renovated Courthouse was rededicated on November 19, 1978.