Warren County Court House
Encyclopedia
The Warren County Court House in Indianola, Iowa
, United States
was built in 1939. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2003 as a part of the PWA-Era County Courthouses of IA Multiple Properties Submission. The courthouse is the third building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
structure was built in 1868. Years of neglect weakened the building. Walls started to bulge and part of the building fell onto the sidewalk below.
A referendum to build a new courthouse failed in 1936 even though funding from the Public Works Administration
, or PWA, had been approved to assist with construction costs. A second referendum in 1938 was approved, and PWA funding was again made available. Indianola native Earl Jones of the Des Moines
architectural firm Keffer & Jones designed the new building. F.B. Dickinson & Co., of Des Moines was awarded the contract to build the building and work commenced in October 1938. The cornerstone
was laid in December of the same year. The building was constructed for $145,000. The dedication ceremony was held on August 24, 1939. Over 12,000 people participated in the celebration, which included a parade, athletic events, a courthouse tour, concerts and a street dance. The keynote address was given by John Gross, president of Simpson College
.
with a central section of two stories that is flanked by two lower sections. It is built over a raised basement. The exterior is composed of buff colored brick and Bedford limestone
trim. On the interior the central corridors extend the length of the building. Vaults
were built into the corners of the structure with the county offices opening onto the corridor. The interior featured multi-colored terrazzo
floors, marble wainscoting and acoustic tile. Originally, the courtroom was decorated in dark wood tones and Art Deco
ornamentation.
Indianola, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,998 people, 4,748 households, and 3,261 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,414.7 people per square mile . There were 4,981 housing units at an average density of 542.1 per square mile...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was built in 1939. 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 2003 as a part of the PWA-Era County Courthouses of IA Multiple Properties Submission. The courthouse is the third building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
History
The counties first courthouse was a log cabin built in 1851. A VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
structure was built in 1868. Years of neglect weakened the building. Walls started to bulge and part of the building fell onto the sidewalk below.
A referendum to build a new courthouse failed in 1936 even though funding from the Public Works Administration
Public Works Administration
The Public Works Administration , part of the New Deal of 1933, was a large-scale public works construction agency in the United States headed by Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes. It was created by the National Industrial Recovery Act in June 1933 in response to the Great Depression...
, or PWA, had been approved to assist with construction costs. A second referendum in 1938 was approved, and PWA funding was again made available. Indianola native Earl Jones of the Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
architectural firm Keffer & Jones designed the new building. F.B. Dickinson & Co., of Des Moines was awarded the contract to build the building and work commenced in October 1938. 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 in December of the same year. The building was constructed for $145,000. The dedication ceremony was held on August 24, 1939. Over 12,000 people participated in the celebration, which included a parade, athletic events, a courthouse tour, concerts and a street dance. The keynote address was given by John Gross, president of Simpson College
Simpson College
Simpson College is a four-year, coeducational liberal arts institution situated in Indianola, Iowa, USA, and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Simpson, which has been fully accredited by North Central Association since 1913, is a small school with approximately 1,400 full-time students...
.
Architecture
The architectural style of the building is known as Depression Modern or PWA Moderne. The building features a symmetrical façadeFacade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
with a central section of two stories that is flanked by two lower sections. It is built over a raised basement. The exterior is composed of buff colored brick and Bedford limestone
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....
trim. On the interior the central corridors extend the length of the building. Vaults
Bank vault
A bank vault is a secure space where money, valuables, records, and documents can be stored. It is intended to protect their contents from theft, unauthorized use, fire, natural disasters, and other threats, just like a safe...
were built into the corners of the structure with the county offices opening onto the corridor. The interior featured multi-colored terrazzo
Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a composite material poured in place or precast, which is used for floor and wall treatments. It consists of marble, quartz, granite, glass or other suitable chips, sprinkled or unsprinkled, and poured with a binder that is cementitious, chemical or a combination of both...
floors, marble wainscoting and acoustic tile. Originally, the courtroom was decorated in dark wood tones and Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
ornamentation.