Watertown in Codington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Codington County Courthouse

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, May 17, 2006

1. Codington County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. An example of Neo-classical architecture with Renaissance exterior elements, the Codington County Courthouse was built by Gray Construction under the direction of architects Freed and Perkins & McWayne. It cost $375,000.00 and was dedicated in June 1929 by County Commissioners Vern G. Wolheter, James E. Kiley, R. S. Lockhart, Thomas M. Spartz, Col. Lee Stover, Ivar Tvinde, and Patrick Walsh.

Richly finished in marble and gold leaf, the interior is one of the most ornate of any courthouse in the state. The rotunda is the most striking interior feature, with its intricate colored glass dome. Nearby are two large murals, one representing “Justice and Power” and the other “Wisdom and Mercy,” painted by Vincent Aderente of New York City.

The county’s first permanent courthouse was also located on this site. That brick and stone building, with its imposing entrance tower, was constructed in 1883-1884 but was later torn down. Before it was built, the business of county government was conducted at various locations in the county, including Goss Hall and a Heegard and Company building, both after October 1878.

Before that the county seat was at Kampeska, near the outlet of the Big Sioux River at Lake Kampeska beginning on August 7, 1878. The county was first organized on July 19, 1878 when territorial

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governor William A. Howard appointed three commissioners. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1929.

Location. 44° 53.934′ N, 97° 6.852′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. Marker is on First Avenue SE, 0.1 miles east of Broadway, on the right when traveling east. Located at the front (north) entrance to the Codington County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 First Avenue SE, Watertown SD 57201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Codington County Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Codington County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to Freeman Thayer Post Number 59 (within shouting distance of this marker); Company H. Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); F. E. Tenney Grocery (within shouting distance of this marker); 34th Signal Company Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Free Public Library

Justice and Power image. Click for full size.

September 29, 2008

2. Justice and Power

The mural, mentioned on the marker, was completed by artist Vincent Aderente. This picture submitted by Aderente's granddaughter.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office & Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watertown.

More about this marker. Please note that the marker misidentifies the name of the artist who painted the murals as Vincent Adoratti. According to the Director of the Codington County Heritage Museum, who personally inspected the murals for the signature, the correct spelling of the artist's last name is Aderente.

Apparently, the artist's name was misspelled in the 1929 dedication program and booklet for the new courthouse. This error went unnoticed until 2006, leading to misspelling the artist's last name on the marker.

A short list of some of Aderente's other public building murals include works in the Denver Mint, the Utah State Capitol, St. Mathews Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the City Hall of Yonkers, NY, the Hudson County Courthouse in Jersey City, NJ and the main post office in Flushing, NY.

Regarding Codington County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places #78002545. Also a contributing property, Watertown Commercial Historic District, NRHP #89000834.

Related markers.

Wisdom and Mercy image. Click for full size.

September 29, 2008

3. Wisdom and Mercy

The mural, mentioned on the marker, was completed by artist Vincent Aderente. This picture submitted by Aderente's granddaughter.

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Watertown Commercial Historic District

Also see . . . Civil Servants and Structures of Watertown and Codington County, South Dakota. The Courthouse is mentioned in this chapter from the book, Watertown and Codington County, by Tim Hoheisel and Lisa Hanson and published in 2002 by Arcadia Publishing. (Note the same misspelling of the author's name, Adoratti, that appears on the actual marker is repeated in this book as well.) (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Codington County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, May 17, 2006

4. Codington County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2006, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 3,697 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on October 31, 2009, by David Aderente of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photos: 1. submitted on October 1, 2006, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on October 1, 2006, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of entire marker. • Can you help?