Winnebago County Courthouse (Iowa)

Winnebago County Courthouse in Forest City, Iowa, United States, is a historic building and active courthouse. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.[1]

Winnebago County Courthouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Location	J St. Forest City, Iowa
Coordinates	43°15′46.9″N 93°38′20.7″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1894-1896
Built by	Martin Bumgardner
Architect	Kinney & Orth
Architectural style	Romanesque
MPS	County Courthouses in Iowa TR
NRHP reference No.	81000275[1]
Added to NRHP	July 02, 1981

History

Because early county records were destroyed in an 1861 fire it is difficult to determine where court proceedings were held in Winnebago County's early years.[2] County voters petitioned for a $20,000 courthouse to be built, but little work was done on the building. The county Board of Supervisors eventually decided the courthouse plans were too extravagant, and a smaller, less expensive structure was built.[3] The courts determined that the Board of Supervisors had acted inappropriately and was still responsible for the bonds. They settled for $3,500 in compensation for the construction.[2] The present Romanesque Revival style building was completed in 1896 for about $25,000.[3] It was designed by Minneapolis architect F.W. Kinney from the firm of Kinney & Orth.[4] It was built by contractor Martin Bumgardner and F.A. Gross. Funds were raised through local subscriptions. An addition was added on the west side in 2002.

Architecture

The courthouse is a two-story buff-colored brick structure. The basement level is composed of course stone. The main entrance is in a recessed area behind three arches, which is possibly the most interesting feature of the building.[4] A large square clock tower rising five stories on the northeast corner of the building. The building is capped with a hipped roof, however, there are pyramid shaped roofs on the projecting pavilions on three corners. The tower roof has been shortened. The significance of the courthouse is derived from its association with county government, and the political power and prestige of Forest City as the county seat.[4]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Stanek, Edward and Jacqueline (1976). Iowa's Magnificent County Courthouses. Des Moines: Wallace-Homestead. p. 196. ISBN 0-87069-189-9.
3. "Winnebago County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
4. M.H. Bowers. "Winnebago County Courthouse". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-12-04. with photo