Chariton in Lucas County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Lucas County Courthouse
1893
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
1. Lucas County Courthouse Marker
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 • Law Enforcement • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 41° 0.896′ N, 93° 18.454′ W. Marker is in Chariton, Iowa, in Lucas County. Marker is on Court Avenue (Business U.S. 34) just west of North Grand Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is mounted at knee-level, directly on the subject building, just to the right of the south entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 916 Braden Avenue, Chariton IA 50049, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lucas County Civil War Monument & Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mormon Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Crozier Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Murder of Sheriff Gaylord Lyman (within shouting distance of this marker); John L. Lewis (approx. 8.1 miles away).
Regarding Lucas County Courthouse.
this page online
From the National Register Nomination:
This courthouse is in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, featuring rock-faced sandstone exterior wall facing, liberal use of round and wide segmental arches, turrets with conical roofs, and finials.This courthouse is locally significant as the historical focus of county government, and of the political power and prestige derived from the community’s status as the county seat. As center of county government, an Iowa town was reasonably assured of economic and population growth, and a prominent role in local social and political life. The county courthouse represents a significant public investment in a structure built not simply for utilitarian purposes, but also as a monument associated with the historical importance of county organization and development.
The present courthouse was authorized at an election in 1885. Local contractors and lumber dealers faithfully followed well-designed plans. As a consequence, the stone courthouse appears the same today as it did over a century ago. The only major alteration has been the removal of a pointed spire and minor caps which topped the clock tower.
Also see . . . Lucas County Courthouse (Wikipedia)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
2. Lucas County Courthouse Marker
The marker mounted at knee-level just to the right of the south entrance.
Lucas County's first courthouse was constructed of oak logs in 1850. The 1˝-story building was built for $374 and paid for from the Chariton town lot fund. The second courthouse was a 50-square-foot building that cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to build. Its foundation was made of logs. The present courthouse was completed in 1894, and the clock in the tower has been in operation since then. This third courthouse was built of rusticated sandstone in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Foster & Liebbe, and built by G.J. Stewart & Company of Chariton. The windows are vertical and narrow. The tower was originally topped by a spire, with minor caps that flanked it.(Submitted on January 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
3. Lucas County Courthouse (south elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
4. Lucas County Courthouse (southeast elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
5. Lucas County Courthouse (north elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
6. Lucas County Courthouse (northwest elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
7. Lucas County Courthouse (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
