Harrison County Courthouse (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
The Harrison County Courthouse, located in Logan, Iowa
, United States
, was built in 1911. 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 is the fifth building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
was Magnolia
. A log cabin served as the first courthouse. It was destroyed in a fire along with the county records. A second courthouse was built in 1854. The county raised the funds for its construction by selling town lots. The building was condemned as unsafe in 1873, and the county’s third courthouse was built the same year. It served the county for three years until Logan was named the county seat.
The first courthouse in Logan was built in 1876 for $14,000. An appropriation of $5,000 came from the county and $9,000 was donated from the people of Logan. Yeisley & Stowell were the contractors that built the building. The two-story brick structure measure 55 by 70 feet. Offices for the county Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk, Recorder, Sheriff and School Superintendent were on the first floor. The second floor contained the court room and jury rooms.
Plans for the present courthouse were begun in 1905. The cornerstone
was laid on October 5, 1910 and it was dedicated on November 3, 1911. It was built at a cost of $103,205.15.
. Four murals were placed in the main stairway during a redecorating program in 1920. They are the work of Frank Enders of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
. They were all done on canvas that was attached to the wall. The murals portray: the old courthouse in Magolia, the first courthouse in Logan, a horn of plenty theme and Lady Justice.
Logan, Iowa
Logan is a city in Harrison County, Iowa, United States, along the Boyer River. The population was 1,545 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Harrison County. Henry Reel founded Logan in 1867, naming it in honor of General John A. Logan, a favorite army officer.-Geography:Logan's longitude...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, was built in 1911. 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 is the fifth building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
History
The first county seat in Harrison CountyHarrison County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,928 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,731 housing units, of which 5,987 were occupied.-2000 census:...
was Magnolia
Magnolia, Iowa
Magnolia is a city in Harrison County, Iowa in the United States of America. The population was 200 at the 2000 census.-History:Harrison County was established in 1851 and organized on March 7, 1853. Abram Fletcher, Charles Wolcott and A. D. Jones were appointed by the Iowa General Assembly as...
. A log cabin served as the first courthouse. It was destroyed in a fire along with the county records. A second courthouse was built in 1854. The county raised the funds for its construction by selling town lots. The building was condemned as unsafe in 1873, and the county’s third courthouse was built the same year. It served the county for three years until Logan was named the county seat.
The first courthouse in Logan was built in 1876 for $14,000. An appropriation of $5,000 came from the county and $9,000 was donated from the people of Logan. Yeisley & Stowell were the contractors that built the building. The two-story brick structure measure 55 by 70 feet. Offices for the county Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk, Recorder, Sheriff and School Superintendent were on the first floor. The second floor contained the court room and jury rooms.
Plans for the present courthouse were begun in 1905. 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...
was laid on October 5, 1910 and it was dedicated on November 3, 1911. It was built at a cost of $103,205.15.
Architecture
The Classical Revival building was designed by Joseph E. Mills. The three-story building measures 68 by 96 feet. The top of the dome is 77 feet (23.5 m) above the street. It is constructed in steel and concrete block and faced in Bedford stoneIndiana 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....
. Four murals were placed in the main stairway during a redecorating program in 1920. They are the work of Frank Enders of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. They were all done on canvas that was attached to the wall. The murals portray: the old courthouse in Magolia, the first courthouse in Logan, a horn of plenty theme and Lady Justice.
See also
- Old Harrison County Courthouse (Iowa)Old Harrison County Courthouse (Iowa)The Old Harrison County Courthouse, located in Magnolia, Iowa, United States, was built in 1873. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource...
, Magnolia, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places