Taylor County Courthouse (Iowa)

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Taylor County Courthouse
Taylor County Courthouse (Iowa) is located in Iowa
Location: Court Ave., Bedford, Iowa
Coordinates: 40°40′1″N 94°43′8″W / 40.66694°N 94.71889°W / 40.66694; -94.71889Coordinates: 40°40′1″N 94°43′8″W / 40.66694°N 94.71889°W / 40.66694; -94.71889
Built: 1892
Architect: E.M. Ellis
Allen H. Chaffie
Architectural style: Romanesque
Governing body: Local
MPS: County Courthouses in Iowa TR
NRHP Reference#: 81000271 [1]
Added to NRHP: July 2, 1981

The Taylor County Courthouse in Bedford, Iowa, United States was built in 1892. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource.[1] The courthouse was the second building the county has used for court functions and county administration.

History [edit]

The first courthouse for Taylor County was begun in 1863.[2] It was constructed of stone on the south side of the square. Additional office space was rented as the county grew and required more space for county government.[2]

The cornerstone for the present courthouse was laid in June 1892. The three-story Romanesque Revival building was completed in the spring the following year. It was constructed of pressed brick and Bedford stone. A large dome tops the building. The interior features fireplaces in most of the rooms. The building was built for $38,000.[2] Because the contractor lost money on the project the county gave him an additional $1,000 and a gold watch for adhering to the original contract price.

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. 
  2. ^ a b c "Taylor County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Retrieved 2011-02-24.