National Register of Historic Places

Appanoose County Courthouse

Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa
Listed
July 1, 1981
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
81000225

About this property

The Appanoose County Courthouse is located in the county seat of Centerville, Iowa, United States. The courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. In 1997 it was included as a contributing property in the Courthouse Square Historic District. The first structure used for court purposes in Appanoose County was also used as a storeroom and a blacksmith's shop. The first true courthouse was a 24-by-20-foot (7.3 by 6.1 m) structure built in 1848 for $160 in Centerville. After the county outgrew this building, court sessions were held in the Methodist and Presbyterian churches while another courthouse was built. It was a two-story, brick building built for $23,000. In 1891 it was declared unsafe and condemned. The architects for the present courthouse was the Des Moines architectural firm of Wetherell and Gage. In February 1903 the contract, exclusive of heating and plumbing, was awarded to William Peatman, the amount of his bid being $69,900. The cornerstone was laid on May 21, 1903. The courthouse was dedicated on September 12, 1904, and rededicated in a festive ceremony on September 12, 2004. The two-story rusticated limestone structure is built on a high foundation. Its eclectic appearance combines large polygonal bays and rock-faced stone from the medieval revivals with classical details found in the pediments and the pilastered main entrance. A large round arch window is located over the main entrance, and the building is capped with a two-stage central clock tower.

Location

Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa
40.73379, -92.87467

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Courthouse Square Historic District
Modern
0 mi
Stratton House
Industrial
0.2 mi
U.S. Post Office
Industrial
0.3 mi
Appanoose County Sheriff's House and Jail
Industrial
0.4 mi
Sturdivant-Sawyer House
Industrial
0.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Appanoose County Courthouse listed on the National Register?

Appanoose County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 1981.

What type of historic resource is Appanoose County Courthouse?

Appanoose County Courthouse is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Appanoose County Courthouse?

The period of significance for Appanoose County Courthouse is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Appanoose County Courthouse?

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