Mahaska County Courthouse

United States historic place

Mahaska County Courthouse

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

U.S. Historic district
Contributing property

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Location| Market St. and 2nd Ave.
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Coordinates| 41°17′42″N 92°38′37″W﻿ / ﻿41.295077°N 92.643495°W﻿ / 41.295077; -92.643495
Area| less than one acre
Built| 1886
Built by| O.J. King Co. & John Volk
Architect| H.C. Koch & Co.
Architectural style| Romanesque Revival
Part of| Oskaloosa City Square Commercial Historic District (ID86000716)
MPS| County Courthouses in Iowa TR
NRHP reference No.| 81000255[1]
Added to NRHP| July 2, 1981

The Mahaska County Courthouse 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.

## History

[edit]

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 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 for $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

[edit]

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, giving 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

[edit]

1. ^ a b "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 April 26, 2016.
3. ^ a b "Mahaska County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
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 October 28, 2018. with photo

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Mahaska County Courthouse at Wikimedia Commons

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National Register of Historic Places in Mahaska County, Iowa

Leighton|

* Vander Wilt Farmstead Historic District

New Sharon|

* North Skunk River Bridge

Oskaloosa|

* Carroll Alsop House
* Dr. William E. and Ethel Rosenberger Berry House
* Thomas J. Conover House
* Edmundson Park Historic District
* Eveland Bridge
* Forest Cemetery Entrance
* E.H. Gibbs House
* Ulysses Simpson Grant Elementary School
* Phil Hoffman House
* Iowa Yearly Meeting House-College Avenue Friends Church
* William A. and Ida C. Johnson House
* Dr. William H. and Mae R. Klose House
* Lake Keomah State Park
* Lake Keomah State Park
* Jack Lamberson House
* Lincoln School
* Mahaska County Courthouse
* Maj. James W. McMullin House
* W.A. McNeill House
* Daniel Nelson House and Barn
* Oskaloosa City Hall
* Oskaloosa City Park and Band Stand
* Oskaloosa City Square Commercial Historic District
* Oskaloosa Fire Station
* Oskaloosa Monthly Meeting of Friends Parsonage
* Oskaloosa Post Office
* Oskaloosa Public Library
* Paradise Block Historic District
* Penn College Historic District
* Pierson-Betts House
* President's Cottage
* Rock Island Passenger Depot
* Chuck and Emily Russell House
* St. James Episcopal Church
* Seeberger-Loring-Kilburn House
* John H. Shoemake House
* Smith-Johnson House
* Spring Creek Friends Cemetery
* Spring Creek Meeting House-H Street Mission
* Spurgin Residence
* Stock Judging Pavilion
* Dr. Ella Stokes House
* Prof. Edgar H. and Irene D. Stranahan House
* John K. Voorhees House

Pella|

* Gary J. and Matilda Vermeer Farmstead

Rose Hill|

* Rose Hill Methodist Episcopal Church

Tracy|

* Bellefountain Bridge

See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Mahaska County, Iowa and List of National Historic Landmarks in Iowa
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