first courthouse was a double log cabin constructed of cottonwood logs and served the county from 1848-1853. County leaders constructed a second courthouse that was a single-story frame structure that measured. It served the county for five years when a third facility was constructed. It was a two-story brick structure measuring, and was built for $20,000. In November 1900, county voters authorized $85,000 to construct the current courthouse. It was dedicated on September 19, 1902 before a crowd of over 2,000 people. Beginning in the late 1960s or early 1970s, the county acquired properties on the northwest side of the square. Over the years various county offices moved from the courthouse to these buildings. A new sheriff's office and jail was completed in 1990. A study of the courthouse in 2004 found that the original flooring system and its supports were deteriorating, and the building was closed. After studying the issue, holding hearings, and a referendum, it was decided to remodel the existing building. Keffer/Overton Architects of Des Moines designed the project. The renovation project began in 2005 to deal with the structural issues, restore the rotunda, added a new stairwell and elevator, and it addressed cosmetic concerns such as repainting interior spaces in their original color schemes and installing new light fixtures to match the wrought iron of the Grand Stair Case. The final stage of the project is an $80,000 restoration of the artwork on the ceiling.
Architecture
The courthouse was designed by the prominent Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot & Bird. George Bird, who is considered the primary designer, used the Chateau Azay-le-Rideau in Indre-et-Loire, France, as his inspiration. Rawson and Son was the contractor for the project that cost $109,243. The 3½-story structure is constructed of Bedford stone and features a tower housing a $1,000 clock. Some of the stones weigh 3½ tons. The structure is built on a rusticatedstone foundation and capped with a hipped roof. Elements of the French Renaissance style are found in the ornately carved dormers and the round corner towers capped with conical roofs. The entire roof is covered with red tiles. The courthouse sits in the middle of the landscaped public square. It features walkways, a lawn, trees, benches, floral plantings, and monuments to the United States Armed Forces.
