Baraga County Courthouse

The Baraga County Courthouse is the seat of government for Baraga County, Michigan, located at 16 North Third Street in L'Anse.[1][2][lower-alpha 1] The courthouse and adjacent annex are designated a Michigan State Historic Site. As of 2012, the courthouse operates courtrooms for the 12th Circuit Court, 97th District Court, and Baraga County Probate Court.[3]

Baraga County Courthouse
Baraga County Courthouse and annex, July 2014.
Location16 North Third Street, L'Anse, Michigan
Coordinates46.7577°N 88.4530°W / 46.7577; -88.4530
Built1884-85
ArchitectWilliam Appleyard
Architectural style(s)Late Victorian
Governing bodyGovernment
DesignatedJune 21, 1985
Location of Baraga County Courthouse in Michigan

History

On February 19, 1875, Baraga County was established with L'Anse as the county seat. Until the construction of a county jail in 1883, the county operated in rented commercial space. The courthouse was built from 1884 through 1885 at a bid price of $11,945. It was designed by architect William Appleyard and built with John B. Sweatt as contractor.[1]

Adjacent to the building is the courthouse annex, which was built as the replacement jail in 1912.[1] At some later point, the jail was condemned and converted to county offices.[4] The property, including the courthouse and annex, was designated a Michigan State Historic Site on June 21, 1985.[1]

A special election was held on August 2, 2011, to decide a millage to move the courthouse to the former Baraga County Memorial Hospital or a new facility.[5] The poor condition of the building and maintenance expenses were cited as reasons to change facilities.[4] However, the proposal was rejected 923 to 507.[6] On February 28, 2012,[7] a second ballot considering the issue was rejected 1195 to 541.[8]

After purchasing the hospital was rejected, the county decided to purchase the former L'Anse Pharmacy building, located about a block from the courthouse.[9] The building was acquired in June 2012 and the county secured financing for the purchase in August. Several offices are scheduled to be moved to the pharmacy in September. The annex will be demolished, though a time has not yet been set.[10]

Description

The courthouse is a two-story red brick structure in the Late Victorian style topped by a hip-and-gable roof. The first story windows are round-head while the second story's are square-head. The adjacent two-story annex is a long and narrow hip-roofed structure.[1] The buildings are atop a small hill.[11]

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See also
  • List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Baraga County, Michigan

Notes
  1. The Michigan State Historic Site listing states 16 South Third Street[1]

References
  1. "Baraga County Courthouse". State Historic Preservation Office. Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  2. "Baraga County". League of Women Voters of the Copper Country. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  3. "Baraga County". Michigan Courts. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  4. Anderson, Stephen (July 1, 2011). "Baraga mulls court move". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  5. Anderson, Stephen (August 30, 2011). "Taking it to the people, twice". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  6. Anderson, Stephen (August 3, 2011). "Baraga courthouse millage fails". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  7. Anderson, Stephen (August 31, 2011). "Commissioners put off courthouse vote". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  8. Anderson, Stephen (February 29, 2012). "Baraga Cty. millage fails — again". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  9. Anderson, Stephen (June 7, 2012). "Baraga County seeks input on property purchase". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  10. Anderson, Stephen (August 9, 2012). "Baraga County secures financing for new building". The Daily Mining Gazette.
  11. "Government Buildings, 1910s, Picture 1". Baraga County Historical Museum. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
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