Dubuque County Courthouse

Information about the first courthouse in Dubuque is sparse.[2] The first known attempt at a courthouse were the plans for a two-story log structure in 1836, but it was never built. By 1843 it was decided that the increased private business in Dubuque necessitated an increase in public business.[3] Therefore, the county built a red brick building to house its records and offices. It is possible that this building was already under construction as there are records of expenditures for brick, lumber, lime, ironwork, and architectural fees dating back to 1839. An addition was built onto the front of this building in 1856. By 1869 there was talk of building a new courthouse as the county had outgrown this building and it was considered outdated and ill-shaped. Even after a petition for a new courthouse was presented in 1878, there was no serious movement toward construction until 1890.

The United States Congress had authorized the use of Washington Square for the new courthouse, but the choice was made to locate it on the site of the old one. County officials chose local architect Fridolin Heer, designer of Sacred Heart Church and several other notable buildings in the city.[4] Twenty-five year bonds totaling $125,000 were sold in April 1891, and the cornerstone was laid on July 11 of the same year. The building was completed two years later.

The Dubuque County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[1] Its significance is derived from its association with county government, and the political power and prestige of Dubuque as the county seat.[5] The adjacent Dubuque County Jail is a National Historic Landmark.[6]

Historic Dubuque County Jail with courthouse on right

Heer designed the structure in the Beaux-Arts style with elements of the Renaissance and the Romanesque styles. It is constructed of Bedford limestone on the first floor and red brick and molded terra cotta on the floors above. The frieze is composed of galvanized iron or zinc. The building has a footprint of 88 by 125 feet (27 m × 38 m). It is five-stories topped by a central tower surmounted by a 14-foot (4.3 m) statue of Justice. All total, the building rises to a height of 213 feet (65 m).[5] Upon completion, 12 classic statues of laminated pewter adorned the roof, however only six remain.[2] Some reports say the others were removed during World War I to provide materiel for the war effort.[7] The interior features the shaft of the tower that terminates on the fourth floor with a dome of stained glass. Woodwork and fittings are of oak with carvings that are done in a Richardsonian character.

• List of Iowa county courthouses