Mahaska County Courthouse

The Mahaska County Courthouse located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, United States, was built in 1886. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource.[1] In 1986 it was included as a contributing property in the Oskaloosa City Square Commercial Historic District.[2] The courthouse is the second building the county has used for court functions and county administration.

Mahaska County Courthouse
LocationMarket St. and 2nd Ave.
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Coordinates41.295077°N 92.643495°W / 41.295077; -92.643495
Arealess than one acre
Built1886
Built byO.J. King Co. & John Volk
ArchitectH.C. Koch & Co.
Architectural styleRomanesque Revival
Part ofOskaloosa City Square Commercial Historic District (ID86000716)
MPSCounty Courthouses in Iowa TR
NRHP reference No.81000255[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 2, 1981

History

Mahaska County's first courthouse was built during the winter of 1844-1845.[3] It was a two-story frame structure that measured 28 by 50 feet (8.5 by 15.2 m).[4] It also served as a church and opera house. The county discontinued using the building in 1855 and rented office space in town to carry out the various county functions. It was rented out by the county until it was sold in 1867 for $3,800. The old courthouse was moved to a different location, and a bank was built on the old location. Concern over county records led to plans to build a new courthouse, but the county failed to pass a bond referendum and it continued to rent office space. The present courthouse was built in the Romanesque Revival style on part of the Oskaloosa public park. It was built at a cost of $132,000 and was dedicated in 1886.[3] It was designed by the Milwaukee architectural firm of H.C. Koch & Company, and built by the O.J. King Company.

Architecture

The courthouse is a 3½-story red brick and stone structure. It is built on a rusticated stone foundation. The main facade has a large stone arch that surrounds the first story entrance. The central tower has a square clock tower with spires at the top. It was altered in 1934 and it now has an Art Deco effect, which gives the building a rather odd appearance.[5] It was originally taller with a pyramid-shaped roof. Stone beltcourses run along the building at the lintel and impost level. The roofline has gabled wall dormers with arched windows. The grounds feature a statue of Chief Mahaska, for whom the county is named.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. James E. Jacobsen. "Oskaloosa City Square Commercial Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  3. "Mahaska County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  4. Stanek, Edward and Jacqueline (1976). Iowa's Magnificent County Courthouses. Des Moines: Wallace-Homestead. p. 130. ISBN 0-87069-189-9.
  5. M.H. Bowers. "Mahaska County Courthouse". National Park Service. Retrieved 2018-10-28. with photo
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