Built 1939 Architectural style PWA Moderne | Architect Keffer and Jones NRHP Reference # 03000818 | |
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Location 115 N. Howard Ave.
Indianola, Iowa MPS PWA-Era County Courthouses of IA MPS | ||
The Warren County Court House in Indianola, Iowa, United States was built in 1939. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 as a part of the PWA-Era County Courthouses of IA Multiple Properties Submission. The courthouse is the third building the county has used for court functions and county administration.
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History
The counties first courthouse was a log cabin built in 1851. It measured 20 by 30 feet (6.1 by 9.1 m). A Victorian structure was built in 1868. Years of neglect weakened the building. Walls started to bulge and part of the building fell onto the sidewalk below.
A referendum to build a new courthouse failed in 1936 even though funding from the Public Works Administration, or PWA, had been approved to assist with construction costs. A second referendum in 1938 was approved, and PWA funding was again made available. Indianola native Earl Jones of the Des Moines architectural firm Keffer & Jones designed the new building. F.B. Dickinson & Co., of Des Moines was awarded the contract to build the building and work commenced in October 1938. The cornerstone was laid in December of the same year. The building was constructed for $145,000. The dedication ceremony was held on August 24, 1939. Over 12,000 people participated in the celebration, which included a parade, athletic events, a courthouse tour, concerts and a street dance. The keynote address was given by John Gross, president of Simpson College.
Architecture
The architectural style of the building is known as Depression Modern or PWA Moderne. The building features a symmetrical façade with a central section of two stories that is flanked by two lower sections. It is built over a raised basement. The exterior is composed of buff colored brick and Bedford limestone trim. On the interior the central corridors extend the length of the building. Vaults were built into the corners of the structure with the county offices opening onto the corridor. The interior featured multi-colored terrazzo floors, marble wainscoting and acoustic tile. Originally, the courtroom was decorated in dark wood tones and Art Deco ornamentation.