Benson County Courthouse

The Benson County Courthouse on B Ave. in Minnewaukan, North Dakota was built in 1900. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1978.[1]

Benson County Courthouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Benson County Courthouse in 2009
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Location	B Ave., Minnewaukan, North Dakota
Coordinates	48°4′8″N 99°14′59″W
Area	2.1 acres (0.85 ha)
Built	1900
Built by	Lord & Co.
Architect	Russell & Crandall
Architectural style	Romanesque, Richardsonian Romanesque, Other
MPS	North Dakota County Courthouses TR
NRHP reference No.	78001988[1]
Added to NRHP	November 2, 1978

According to its NRHP nomination, the building "is architecturally significant for its incorporation of the design principles of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. One of the last major public buildings in North Dakota to express the Picturesque aesthetic of the nineteenth century prior to the onset of Academic Revivalism, the structure has, despite some modifications, retained its original character to a remarkable degree."[2]^:4 It was designed by Russell & Crandall, an obscure firm from Grand Forks.[3]

Also, a "1901 promotional booklet for Minnewaukan acclaimed...: 'There are not many counties in North Dakota that can boast of as fine a county building as Benson county, and no people could be prouder of it than the citizens of Minnewaukan. It is 90 feet long by 60 feet wide, and 96 feet to the top of the flag staff. It is solid brick and stone, and is a model in design and finish. All the rooms are furnished with dark oak furniture, while the doors, casings, stairs and finishing is a light oak.'"[2]^:4

[4]

Benson County Courthouse, c. 1901-1910

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. Dawn Maddox (May 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Benton County Courthouse". National Park Service. and accompanying photos
3. Improvement Bulletin 28 April 1900: 15.
4. Marty Perry (October 3, 1985). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: North Dakota County Courthouses (Thematic)".