Marquette in Marquette County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Marquette County Courthouse
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022
1. Marquette County Courthouse Marker
This Neoclassical Revival structure, designed by Charlton & Gilbert of Marquette, was constructed in 1902-04 at a cost of $210,000. Built of local sandstone, it is the second courthouse to occupy this site. In a case tried here in 1913, President Theodore Roosevelt won a libel suit against Ishpeming newspaper publisher George Newett and was awarded six cents, the price of a good newspaper. Another case tried here inspired Anatomy of a Murder, a novel by Ishpeming resident John D. Voelker. In 1959 the courthouse was the setting of the motion picture based on the novel. The picture was directed by Otto Preminger and the musical score for the movie was written by Duke Ellington. The courthouse was renovated in 1982-84 at a cost of $2.4 million.
Erected 1985 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S486.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt, and the Michigan Historical Commission
this page online
Location. 46° 32.49′ N, 87° 23.771′ W. Marker is in Marquette, Michigan, in Marquette County. It is on South 3rd Street just south of West Spring Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located beside the sidewalk on the east/front side of the Marquette County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 360 South 3rd Street, Marquette MI 49855, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest and on Lake Superiors South Shore Region. Globally, it is in North America, in the Great North Woods, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Janzen House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lake Superior Art Association (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jacques Marquette (approx.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022
2. Marquette County Courthouse Marker
Regarding Marquette County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places #78001506; also a Michigan State Historic Site.
Also see . . .
1. Marquette County Courthouse.
The Marquette County Courthouse is a Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical structure, with a central three-story mass flanked by two-story wings. It is built almost entirely of local sandstone over a steel frame. A colossal portico covers the entrance, lined with 23-foot granite Doric columns from Maine. A Doric entablature with copper cornice rings the roofline. A copper dome surmounts the building, and sits above the second-floor courtroom. Inside, the courtroom is finished with mahogany and marble. Mosaic tiles, wool carpeting, and stained glass fill the building.(Submitted on September 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Theodore Roosevelts Libel Trial.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022
3. Marquette County Courthouse (east/front elevation)
What happens when you print in a newspaper the accusation that a former president of the United States gets drunk not infrequently? Thats exactly what happened in Michigans Upper Peninsula, Marquette County in 1912. A local newspaper called the Iron Ore accused Theodore Roosevelt of public drunkenness in an editorial. The result was a libel trial that not only made history locally, but made waves across the country and internationally as well...(Submitted on September 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Anatomy of a Murder.
Anatomy of a Murder is a 1959 American courtroom drama and crime film produced and directed by Otto Preminger. The screenplay by Wendell Mayes was based on the 1958 novel of the same name written by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker. Voelker based the novel on a 1952 murder case in which he was the defense attorney. On July 31, 1952, Lt. Coleman A. Peterson shot and killed Maurice Chenoweth in Big Bay, Michigan. Voelker was retained as defense attorney a few days later. The trial started on September 15, 1952. Voelker used a rare version of the insanity defense(Submitted on September 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)called irresistible impulse that had not been used in Michigan since 1886. The jury deliberated for four hours on September 23, 1952, before returning a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Two days later, after Peterson was examined by a psychiatrist who judged him sane, he was released.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 20224. Marquette County Courthouse (northeast elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022
5. Marquette County Courthouse (south elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022
6. Marquette County Courthouse (east/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 549 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
