Houston County Courthouse and Jail

Summary

The Houston County Courthouse and Jail, located at 304 Marshall Street South in Caledonia, Houston County in the U.S. state of Minnesota, consists of a Romanesque stone courthouse featuring a prominent center tower, built in 1883 and an Italianate stone jail and sheriff residence built in 1875. Both were designed by C. G. Maybury & Son of Winona.[3]

Houston County Courthouse and Jail
Houston County Courthouse and Jail is located in Minnesota
Houston County Courthouse and Jail
Houston County Courthouse and Jail is located in the United States
Houston County Courthouse and Jail
Map
Interactive map showing the location for Houston County Courthouse and Jail
LocationCourthouse Sq., Caledonia, Minnesota
Coordinates43°37′57″N 91°29′45.4″W / 43.63250°N 91.495944°W / 43.63250; -91.495944
Arealess than one acre
Built1883[3]
ArchitectC. G. Maybury & Son
Architectural styleItalianate, Romanesque
MPSHouston County MRA
NRHP reference No.83000905[1][2]
Added to NRHPMarch 18, 1983

In the late nineteenth century there was considerable disagreement about the location of the Houston County seat. In 1874, Caledonia was named and construction soon began on the jail and sheriff's residence. By 1882 planning began on the courthouse. Construction was by Noonan and Stellwager at a cost of $60,000, and the building was completed in 1885. Taxpayers criticized the expense of ornamental carpentry and five chandeliers, while county taxes doubled. The current building includes additions built in 1965 and 1977.[4]

In 2010, construction began on a new justice center next to the old courthouse; it will replace the old jail.[5]

Houston County Courthouse

References edit

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "National Register of Historic Places". www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com. 2007-10-31.
  3. ^ a b Nord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota: A Guide. Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 9780873514484. Retrieved 2007-10-31. houston county courthouse and jail.
  4. ^ "Houston County Courthouse". Minnesota Judicial Branch. Archived from the original on 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
  5. ^ John Weiss, Rochester Post-Bulletin, May 6, 2010, "Houston County officials break ground for new courthouse"