Steele County Courthouse (Minnesota)

The Steele County Courthouse is the seat of government for Steele County, located in Owatonna, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1891. The courthouse is a three-story Austin red-brick building with red mortar, accented with Lake Superior brown stone. It was designed by T. Dudley Allen of Minneapolis in a Romanesque Revival and Italianate style, featuring corner towers, a turret, and a large clock on four sides. Windows are arched and a statue representing Mercy, Law, and Justice sits above the north face of the building. Polished granite columns support double arches at the entrances. The interior is decorated with wainscoting, woodwork, and an ornate oak staircase.[2] The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 for having local significance in the themes of architecture and politics/government.[3] It was nominated for its Romanesque Revival architecture and long service as Steele County's government seat.[4]

Steele County Courthouse
The Steele County Courthouse from the north
Steele County Courthouse (Minnesota) is located in Minnesota
Steele County Courthouse (Minnesota)
Steele County Courthouse (Minnesota) is located in the United States
Steele County Courthouse (Minnesota)
Map
Interactive map showing the location of Steele County Courthouse
Location111 East Main Street, Owatonna, Minnesota
Coordinates44°5′0″N 93°13′31.5″W / 44.08333°N 93.225417°W / 44.08333; -93.225417
AreaLess than two acres
Built1891
Built byLeck & McLeod
ArchitectT. Dudley Allen
Architectural styleRomanesque Revival
Part ofOwatonna Commercial Historic District (ID14001237)
NRHP reference No.76001076[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 3, 1976
Designated CPFebruary 2, 2015

Steele County's previous county courthouse, built in 1874, was also listed on the National Register but was demolished in 1987 and removed from the register.[5] The current courthouse is also a contributing property to the Owatonna Commercial Historic District.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Steele County Courthouse". Minnesota Judicial Branch. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
  3. ^ "Steele County Courthouse". Minnesota National Register Properties Database. Minnesota Historical Society. 2009. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  4. ^ VanBrocklin, Lynne (1976-04-14). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination Form: Steele County Courthouse" (Document). National Park Service.
  5. ^ Nord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society. pp. 300. ISBN 0-87351-448-3.
  6. ^ Pearson, Marjorie; Renee L. Hutter; Andrew J. Schmidt (April 2011). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Owatonna Commercial Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-05-24. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

External links edit