1 The Saint Louis County Courthouse is an impressive historic building located in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Peabody, Stearns & Furber, the courthouse was constructed in the neoclassical style and completed in 1910. The building features a grand entrance with Ionic columns, ornate details, and a massive copper dome that rises 180 feet above street level. The interior is equally impressive, with marble floors, grand staircases, and ornate woodwork. The courthouse has served as the seat of government for Saint Louis County for over a century and has been the site of many important legal proceedings and community events.
2 The Saint Louis County Courthouse is an impressive historic building located in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Peabody, Stearns & Furber, the courthouse was constructed in the neoclassical style and completed in 1910. The building features a grand entrance with Ionic columns, ornate details, and a massive copper dome that rises 180 feet above street level. The interior is equally impressive, with marble floors, grand staircases, and ornate woodwork. The courthouse has served as the seat of government for Saint Louis County for over a century and has been the site of many important legal proceedings and community events.
3 The Saint Louis County Courthouse is an impressive historic building located in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Peabody, Stearns & Furber, the courthouse was constructed in the neoclassical style and completed in 1910. The building features a grand entrance with Ionic columns, ornate details, and a massive copper dome that rises 180 feet above street level. The interior is equally impressive, with marble floors, grand staircases, and ornate woodwork. The courthouse has served as the seat of government for Saint Louis County for over a century and has been the site of many important legal proceedings and community events.
4 The Saint Louis County Courthouse is an impressive historic building located in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Peabody, Stearns & Furber, the courthouse was constructed in the neoclassical style and completed in 1910. The building features a grand entrance with Ionic columns, ornate details, and a massive copper dome that rises 180 feet above street level. The interior is equally impressive, with marble floors, grand staircases, and ornate woodwork. The courthouse has served as the seat of government for Saint Louis County for over a century and has been the site of many important legal proceedings and community events.
5 The Saint Louis County Courthouse is an impressive historic building located in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Peabody, Stearns & Furber, the courthouse was constructed in the neoclassical style and completed in 1910. The building features a grand entrance with Ionic columns, ornate details, and a massive copper dome that rises 180 feet above street level. The interior is equally impressive, with marble floors, grand staircases, and ornate woodwork. The courthouse has served as the seat of government for Saint Louis County for over a century and has been the site of many important legal proceedings and community events.
6 The Saint Louis County Courthouse is an impressive historic building located in downtown Duluth, Minnesota. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Peabody, Stearns & Furber, the courthouse was constructed in the neoclassical style and completed in 1910. The building features a grand entrance with Ionic columns, ornate details, and a massive copper dome that rises 180 feet above street level. The interior is equally impressive, with marble floors, grand staircases, and ornate woodwork. The courthouse has served as the seat of government for Saint Louis County for over a century and has been the site of many important legal proceedings and community events.
7 2024 Road Trip - Day 4
8 After the 1856 organization of Steele County, a store was rented in Owatonna to conduct court business, By 1874, a one-story brick building for county offices had been completed at a cost of $5,000. The building still stands at 139 East Main Street and houses the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce. However, court was held at that time in the second story of a building on the corner of Cedar and Vine.
In 1884, voters defeated a $35,000 bond issue to build a new courthouse. Bonds were finally sold for a new building in 1891, after voters approved $30,000 in bonds.
The classical Romanesque Revival style courthouse was designed by T.D. Allen of Minneapolis and built by Leck and McLeod. It is shown above in a 1958 photograph. Built of Austin red brick set with red mortar, and trimmed with Lake Superior brown stone, the 115 by 86 foot courthouse rises three stories above a full basement. Coupled arches supported by polished granite columns protect the north and south entrances. A large sculpture representing Mercy, Law, and Justice is set in a niche above the north entry.
On the northwest corner, the main tower rises five stories to its pyramidal cap with a clock on each side, as well as minarets and gables. A low circular tower is located on the northeast corner and on the southwest sit a minor square tower and roof ridges emphasized with tile crowns.
Changes in the courtroom were made with federal money in 1934. A two-story brick addition at the rear of the building was designed by Gauger-Parrish of St. Paul in 1975-76. The inside of the building has also been remodeled. An elevator was installed in 1975, a sprinkler system was installed in 1977-78, and air conditioning and other restoration work has taken place. However, the wainscoting, woodwork, and ornate oak staircase have all been retained.
In 1884, voters defeated a $35,000 bond issue to build a new courthouse. Bonds were finally sold for a new building in 1891, after voters approved $30,000 in bonds.
The classical Romanesque Revival style courthouse was designed by T.D. Allen of Minneapolis and built by Leck and McLeod. It is shown above in a 1958 photograph. Built of Austin red brick set with red mortar, and trimmed with Lake Superior brown stone, the 115 by 86 foot courthouse rises three stories above a full basement. Coupled arches supported by polished granite columns protect the north and south entrances. A large sculpture representing Mercy, Law, and Justice is set in a niche above the north entry.
On the northwest corner, the main tower rises five stories to its pyramidal cap with a clock on each side, as well as minarets and gables. A low circular tower is located on the northeast corner and on the southwest sit a minor square tower and roof ridges emphasized with tile crowns.
Changes in the courtroom were made with federal money in 1934. A two-story brick addition at the rear of the building was designed by Gauger-Parrish of St. Paul in 1975-76. The inside of the building has also been remodeled. An elevator was installed in 1975, a sprinkler system was installed in 1977-78, and air conditioning and other restoration work has taken place. However, the wainscoting, woodwork, and ornate oak staircase have all been retained.
9 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
10 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
11 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
12 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
13 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
14 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
15 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
16 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
17 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
18 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
19 Rice County Courthouse
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
Faribault, Minnesota
Court in Rice County was held in various locations until the first formal courthouse was built in 1874. The building, which had a mansard roof and tall central clock tower, was designed by C.N. Daniels. Work was divided among three contractors who divided work amongst the foundation, the brick work, and the building "aside from mason work." The building committee itself made up the 47 cents by which they had exceeded the $50,000 bond issue.
In 1924, two fire-proof wings were added. The building was lighted with gas, which may have caused it to burn to the ground in 1931, though the new wings saved the court records. The Brunswick Hotel served as courthouse until the current one was completed in 1934.
Maurice Schmacher of Minneapolis built the current courthouse from a design by Nairne W. Fisher of St. Cloud, who had designed the Pope County Courthouse four years earlier. The 134 by 98 foot building, shown above, included the Moderne style in its formal classical lines. Metal grillwork accentuates the three tall window openings of the central face. It also decorates the doorway and the spandrels of the windows recessed between heavy, pier-like features. Natural-face Faribault stone is horizontally banded at intervals with sawed-faced stone.
Inside, the central rotunda has a Moderne stair and fixtures of metal and glass in the Art Deco style. Walls, floors, and stairs use polished black and gray Tennessee marble, the black prominent in inlaid boarders around pastel-colored floors. Directly below the dome on the rotunda floor is a map of Rice County made of terrazzo. The courtroom on the top floor is finished with fine-grained walnut walls 16 feet high with matching custom-built furnishings. The three-story courthouse was built for $200,000.
20 The same year Le Sueur County was established -- 1853 -- the county's first grand jury convened in Peck and Bean's Boarding House in the village of Le Sueur. Its first indictment was against one of its own members for selling liquor to Native Americans. Judge A.G. Chatfield, founder of Belle Plaine, officiated.
The village of Le Sueur fought against Cleveland to be the county seat for the next 22 years. During this time, the boarding house burned and court convened above Myrick's Store and then on the second floor of the Smith Building, which was built in 1868 on the northwest corner of Ferry and Main. Sessions of court were also held in Cleveland until citizens compromised and made the new settlement of Le Center the county seat in 1875.
As part of Le Center's establishment as the county seat, two blocks of land were set aside for a courthouse square. A two-story brick building was leased by the county for 10 years with an option to purchase. The current courthouse, pictured above, was built on the site in 1896 and the old building, furniture, and fixtures were auctioned off to help pay for building expenses.
Louis M. Curry of the firm of Mayo & Curry of Chicago designed the building and James Dolan & Co. of Waterville built it at a cost of $55,000. The courthouse has buff-colored brick walls that are trimmed with both smooth and rusticated Kasota stone. The cornice and its supporting modillions are made of wood. The Richardsonian Romanesque Revival building is more symmetrical than usual, with a central bay flanked by side pavilions. A square tower rises two stories to a truncated hip roof. An octagonal drum with arched windows on top of that is crowned by a domical roof and the figure of Justice. The tower was originally one story taller but was damaged by lightning and rebuilt in 1920.
In the 1930s and in 1967, federal work projects remodeled the courtroom. Since a major renovation in 1975, the entire second floor has been devoted to court business. An original oak balustrade guards the central opening on the second floor of the rotunda.
The village of Le Sueur fought against Cleveland to be the county seat for the next 22 years. During this time, the boarding house burned and court convened above Myrick's Store and then on the second floor of the Smith Building, which was built in 1868 on the northwest corner of Ferry and Main. Sessions of court were also held in Cleveland until citizens compromised and made the new settlement of Le Center the county seat in 1875.
As part of Le Center's establishment as the county seat, two blocks of land were set aside for a courthouse square. A two-story brick building was leased by the county for 10 years with an option to purchase. The current courthouse, pictured above, was built on the site in 1896 and the old building, furniture, and fixtures were auctioned off to help pay for building expenses.
Louis M. Curry of the firm of Mayo & Curry of Chicago designed the building and James Dolan & Co. of Waterville built it at a cost of $55,000. The courthouse has buff-colored brick walls that are trimmed with both smooth and rusticated Kasota stone. The cornice and its supporting modillions are made of wood. The Richardsonian Romanesque Revival building is more symmetrical than usual, with a central bay flanked by side pavilions. A square tower rises two stories to a truncated hip roof. An octagonal drum with arched windows on top of that is crowned by a domical roof and the figure of Justice. The tower was originally one story taller but was damaged by lightning and rebuilt in 1920.
In the 1930s and in 1967, federal work projects remodeled the courtroom. Since a major renovation in 1975, the entire second floor has been devoted to court business. An original oak balustrade guards the central opening on the second floor of the rotunda.
Minnesota Courhouses