Aitkin in Aitkin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Aitkin County Courthouse and Jail
Northeast Minnesota: The Wild North
The original courthouse built on this site in 1887 included a jail and sheriff's residence. It served a population of about 2,000 people. As a logging town, Aitkin became a railhead and an important stopping point for boats on the Mississippi River. By 1910, the population had grown extensively, making the courthouse facilities inadequate. To free space, a separate jail was constructed in 1915. The two-story, red brick building was designed by Minneapolis architect E.C. Pell. Located immediately west of the courthouse, it included a nine-room sheriff's residence (presently used for office space) and a cell block extending to the rear.
In 1920, Aitkin County established a building fund for a new courthouse, and hired a St. Paul architectural firm, Tolz, King, & Day, to design it. Government officials decided not to issue bonds, delaying construction until 1929. The stone and brick courthouse is a well-preserved example of the Beaux Arts Classicism Style prevalent in the 1920s. Its flat roof is concealed by a parapet. Marble wainscoting, terrazzo floors and oak woodwork grace its interior surfaces, and a stained glass skylight is located in the court chamber. The interiors and exteriors of these buildings retain a significant degree of historical integrity.
Erected by Northeast Minnesota: The Wild North.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 46° 31.982′ N, 93° 42.642′ W. Marker is in Aitkin, Minnesota, in Aitkin County. Marker is on 2nd St NW, on the right when traveling east. Mounted just left of the entrance to the historic jail building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 2nd St NW, Aitkin MN 56431, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Cuyuna Range (approx. 9.9 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2016, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 870 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on December 27, 2018, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2016, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 2, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on March 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.