Vinton in Benton County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Benton County Courthouse

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

1. Benton County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 42° 10.083′ N, 92° 1.415′ W. Marker is in Vinton, Iowa, in Benton County. Marker is on East 4th Street just east of 1st Avenue, on the left when traveling east. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the right of the south/front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 East 4th Street, Vinton IA 52349, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Benton County World War II Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Sweet Corn Day Festival (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Iowa Canning Co. Seed House (about 600 feet away); Watson's Opera House (about 600 feet away); Minne Estema Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Flooding of the Cedar River (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Many Bridges Built to Cross the Cedar River

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Moments in Time on the Cedar (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vinton.

Regarding Benton County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places #76000733.

From the National Register Nomination:
A representative of the Beaux Arts Renaissance classicism, the Benton County Courthouse was constructed in 1905-6. The first Benton County Courthouse, a small two-story frame building, was begun in 1851 and destroyed by fire prior to its completion. This present courthouse replaces the small two-story brick building that was built in 1856-57, also at this location. Although not unique in style, it is a well-maintained example of the repose, delicacy and scholarship of the turn of the century government building tradition. Its location at the center of the central business district in the county seat of Vinton typifies the urban planning concepts established in the century before. The central pavilion is pedimented and distinguished by two major arches, one at the entrance on the ground level and the other at the second story level. Stone banding separates each story from the other as does the treatment of each level's window openings. The first floor shows
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

2. Benton County Courthouse Marker
The marker is mounted just to the right of the south/front entrance.
simple round arched openings with no ornament. Also with no ornament are the second level openings which are double hung sash rectangles with smaller openings just above. The third level shows the same treatment as that of the second, with the addition of hemispherical openings above the smaller rectangles. The only parts of the building that could be considered ornamental are the arch and pilaster treatments of the openings on the central pavilions and the open Palladian motifs of the lantern plus the segmental arch pediments, also on the lantern.

Also see . . . Benton County Courthouse (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The Benton County Courthouse is the fourth building the county has used for court functions and county administration. Designed by Bell & Detweiler of Minneapolis, the present courthouse was built by George Rickman & Sons. A simplified version of the Beaux Arts style, the building features a 112-foot central tower, which makes it one of the local community's most prominent landmarks.

(Submitted on January 10, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Benton County Courthouse Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

3. Benton County Courthouse Cornerstone

(located at the southeast corner of the building)
Benton County
A.D. 1905
Organized
Jan. 17 - 1846.

Benton County Courthouse Clock Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

4. Benton County Courthouse Clock Tower

From the National Register Nomination: The 1500-pound clock in the tower rings with a resounding B-flat on the hour.

Benton County Courthouse (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

5. Benton County Courthouse (southeast elevation)

Benton County Courthouse (<i>south/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

6. Benton County Courthouse (south/front elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 10, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.