Centerville Live Cam

The Appanoose County Courthouse is located in the city of Centerville, Iowa, and is the courthouse for Appanoose County. The courthouse was completed in 1903 and is built in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture.

The building was designed by the architectural firm of Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson, who were known for their work on courthouses and other public buildings throughout the Midwest. The courthouse was built by the general contracting firm of C.W. and George W. Clausen, who also built many other public buildings in Iowa.

The Appanoose County Courthouse is a three-story building with a basement and an attic. The exterior is constructed of Bedford limestone and features a symmetrical facade with a central entrance that is topped by a clock tower. The clock tower is 115 feet tall and is topped by a dome.

The interior of the courthouse is equally impressive, with a grand central rotunda that features a stained-glass dome. The courthouse also features many decorative details, such as marble floors, wainscoting, and ornate plasterwork.

The Appanoose County Courthouse has been the center of many important events throughout its history. It has been the site of many trials and has played a key role in the political and social life of the county. Today, it remains an important symbol of the county's heritage and a testament to the craftsmanship and architectural style of the early 20th century.

The history of the Appanoose County Courthouse is rich and varied. The building was constructed in response to the growing need for a larger and more modern courthouse in Appanoose County. The old courthouse, which had been built in 1857, was no longer adequate to serve the needs of the county government and had become overcrowded and outdated.

Construction on the new courthouse began in 1901 and was completed in 1903 at a cost of $150,000. The building was designed to be a grand and imposing structure, reflecting the growing prosperity and ambition of the county at the turn of the century.

Over the years, the courthouse has been the site of many important events. In 1913, a mob of over 1,000 people gathered outside the courthouse to protest the conviction of a black man named Will Brown, who had been accused of raping a white woman. The mob eventually stormed the courthouse and lynched Brown, making it one of the most infamous events in Iowa history.

During World War II, the courthouse played a key role in the war effort. It served as the headquarters for the county's draft board and was also used as a training center for women who were joining the workforce in support of the war effort.

In more recent years, the courthouse has undergone several renovations and updates to ensure that it remains a functional and efficient space for county government. In 1993, the courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its architectural and historical significance.

Today, the Appanoose County Courthouse continues to serve as the center of county government and remains an important landmark in the city of Centerville and the state of Iowa as a whole.

Here are some historical facts about the Appanoose County Courthouse:

• The courthouse was constructed in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture, which was popular in the United States from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
• The courthouse was designed by the architectural firm of Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson, who also designed many other courthouses and public buildings throughout the Midwest.
• The courthouse was built by the general contracting firm of C.W. and George W. Clausen, who were based in Des Moines, Iowa.
• The courthouse was completed in 1903 at a cost of $150,000, which was a significant amount of money at the time.
• The courthouse features a clock tower that is 115 feet tall and is topped by a dome. The clock tower is visible from many parts of the city of Centerville.
• The courthouse has a grand central rotunda that features a stained-glass dome. The dome is 30 feet in diameter and is made up of more than 2,000 pieces of glass.
• The courthouse has been the site of many important events in Appanoose County history, including trials, political rallies, and community events.
• The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 in recognition of its architectural and historical significance.
• The courthouse underwent a major renovation in 2005 that included updates to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as improvements to the building's accessibility and safety features.

Here are some more interesting historical facts about the Appanoose County Courthouse:

• The courthouse was built on the site of the previous courthouse, which had been constructed in 1857. The old courthouse was torn down to make way for the new one.
• The courthouse was originally equipped with steam heat and electric lights, which were considered state-of-the-art amenities at the time.
• The stained-glass dome in the central rotunda of the courthouse was designed by the Chicago-based firm of Healy and Millet, which was known for their work on many other courthouses and public buildings across the United States.
• The courthouse has four courtrooms, each of which is decorated with murals that depict scenes from Iowa history.
• The courthouse has a 300-seat auditorium that has been used for many different events over the years, including concerts, plays, and political rallies.
• The courthouse has a jail in the basement that was used until 1976. The jail cells are still intact and can be viewed as part of guided tours of the courthouse.
• The courthouse has a statue of Lady Justice on the roof, which is a common feature of many courthouses. The statue was damaged in a tornado in 1976 but was restored and returned to its place on the roof.
• The courthouse has been the subject of many works of art, including paintings, photographs, and postcards. It is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in Iowa.