Taylor County Courthouse (Iowa)

Taylor County Courthouse
Location Court Ave.
Bedford, Iowa
Coordinates 40°40′1″N 94°43′8″W / 40.66694°N 94.71889°W / 40.66694; -94.71889Coordinates: 40°40′1″N 94°43′8″W / 40.66694°N 94.71889°W / 40.66694; -94.71889
Built 1892
Architect E.M. Ellis
Allen H. Chaffie
Architectural style Romanesque Revival
MPS County Courthouses in Iowa TR
NRHP Reference # 81000271 [1]
Added to NRHP July 2, 1981

The Taylor County Courthouse in Bedford, Iowa, United States was built in 1892. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource.[1] The courthouse was the second building the county has used for court functions and county administration.

History

The first courthouse for Taylor County was begun in 1863.[2] It was constructed of stone on the south side of the square. Additional office space was rented as the county grew and required more space for county government.[2]

The cornerstone for the present courthouse was laid in June 1892. The three-story Romanesque Revival building was completed in the spring the following year. It was constructed of pressed brick and Bedford stone. A large dome tops the building. The interior features fireplaces in most of the rooms. The building was built for $38,000.[2] Because the contractor lost money on the project the county gave him an additional $1,000 and a gold watch for adhering to the original contract price.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 "Taylor County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  3. Stanek, Edward and Jacqueline (1976). Iowa's Magnificent County Courthouses. Des Moines: Wallace-Homestead. p. 180. ISBN 0-87069-189-9.
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