Taylor County Courthouse (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
The Taylor County Courthouse in Bedford, Iowa
, United States
was built in 1892. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. The courthouse was the second building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
was begun in 1863. It was constructed of stone on the south side of the square. Additional office space was rented as the county grew and required more space for county government.
The cornerstone
for the present courthouse was laid in June 1892. The three-story Romanesque Revival building was completed in the spring the following year. It was constructed of pressed brick and Bedford stone
. A large dome tops the building. The interior features fireplaces in most of the rooms. The building was built for $38,000. Because the contractor lost money on the project the county gave him an additional $1,000 and a gold watch for adhering to the original contract price.
Bedford, Iowa
Bedford is a city in Taylor County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,620 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taylor County. Lake of Three Fires State Park is located a few miles northeast of Bedford.-History:...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was built in 1892. 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 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. The courthouse was the second building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
History
The first courthouse for Taylor CountyTaylor County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 6,317 in the county, with a population density of . There were 3,107 housing units, of which 2,679 were occupied.-2000 census:...
was begun in 1863. It was constructed of stone on the south side of the square. Additional office space was rented as the county grew and required more space for county government.
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...
for the present courthouse was laid in June 1892. The three-story Romanesque Revival building was completed in the spring the following year. It was constructed of pressed brick and 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....
. A large dome tops the building. The interior features fireplaces in most of the rooms. The building was built for $38,000. Because the contractor lost money on the project the county gave him an additional $1,000 and a gold watch for adhering to the original contract price.