Built 1934 Designated MSHS October 23, 1979 Area 2 ha Added to NRHP 8 December 1983 | NRHP Reference # 83003643 Opened 1934 Phone +1 989-354-9678 | |
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Architect William H. Kuni; Henry C. Webber Construction Co. Hours Closed today SundayClosedMonday8:30AM–4:30PMTuesday8:30AM–4:30PMWednesday8:30AM–4:30PMThursday8:30AM–4:30PMFriday8:30AM–4:30PMSaturdayClosed Similar Benzie County Courthouse, Alpena Light, Antrim County Courthouse, Besser Museum for Northe, Defer Elementary School | ||
Asbestos found in alpena county courthouse
The Alpena County Courthouse is a generic term used to describe various courthouses (over time) in Alpena, Michigan. These included buildings which housed the Circuit Court (the court of general jurisdiction), the District Court (the court of limited jurisdiction) and the Probate court (involving e.g., probate estates, trusts, protection of persons, guardianship, conservatorship).
Alpena County's first courthouse was destroyed by a fire on December 12, 1870. Its replacement built in 1881 met a similar fate on December 22, 1932. The current courthouse built in 1934 is an historic Art deco courthouse building located at 720 Chisholm Avenue in Alpena, Michigan. It was designed by architect William H. Kuni of Detroit and built by the Henry C. Webber Construction Co. of locally produced poured Portland cement made from locally quarried limestone. According to Kuni, it was the first monolithic poured building constructed during the winter in a cold climate. Kuni also designed the Tuscola County Court House.
It was financed partly by local bonds and WPA grants.
The building, dubbed "Fort Alpena" by a local writer, is embellished by architectural sculpture, including an eagle perched atop the clock on the main facade and figures of Justice and Law as well as "fascia designs show(ing) images of the county's lumbering, shipbuilding, farming, fishing and recreational industries."
On December 8, 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, item # 83003643. It is a state registered historic site.
The Alpena Courthouse Annex which houses the District Court and the Probate Court is located at 719 Chisholm Avenue and was built in 1997.