Built 1902 NRHP Reference # 76000031 Designated NHL July 31, 2003 Phone +1 260-449-7602 | Architectural style Beaux-Arts Added to NRHP May 28, 1976 Opened 1902 Architect Brentwood S. Tolan | |
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Location 715 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Address 715 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, USA Hours Closed today SundayClosedMonday8AM–4:30PMTuesday8AM–4:30PMWednesday8AM–4:30PMThursday8AM–4:30PMFriday8AM–4:30PMSaturdayClosed Similar Lincoln Bank Tower, Richardville House, Fort Wayne Old City Hall Build, Foellinger‑Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Embassy Theatre | ||
The Allen County Courthouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana is one of 37 United States National Historic Landmarks in the state of Indiana. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003.
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History
Designed by Brentwood S. Tolan, construction began in 1897, the cornerstone was laid November 17, 1897. The building was dedicated September 23, 1902, with a final cost of $817,553.59. On September 23, 2002, the building was re-dedicated on its centennial after a seven-year restoration effort, which cost $8.6 million.
Architectural details
The Beaux-Arts architecture-style structure includes such features as four 25 by 45-foot (14 m) murals by Charles Holloway, twenty-eight different kinds of scagiola covering 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2), bas-reliefs and art glass. Each of the five court rooms has its own color scheme.
Atop the building is a 255-foot (78 m)-high copper-clad domed rotunda, itself topped by a 14-foot (4.3 m) statue wind vane of Lady Liberty. The larger than life statue has feet that would wear a woman's shoe size of 28.
The building materials include Bedford Limestone and Vermont granite with Italian marble details. A tunnel was constructed to connect the Courthouse with the City-County Building located across the street. The Courthouse also houses a fallout shelter underground. The skylights originally built into the building were covered during World War II and replaced with artificial light.
The 2001 National Historic Landmark Nomination says in its opening paragraph: "An elaborate combination of Greek, Roman, and Renaissance influences, the massive courthouse reflects the exuberant ambition of late nineteenth century America."