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Clay County, Iowa photographic memories of special places, activities and
events that have happened.
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| Clay County, Iowa - Photo Album |
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| Clay County Courthouse - History, Exterior & Interior |
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Where does Peterson Auto Electric fit into Clay County history? The second floor
of this building was once the Clay County Courthouse. It was built in 1871 and
served as the courthouse until 1882 when it was replaced by rented space in a
nearby bank building. |
Much of the woodwork, tile and hardware were salvaged from the previous
courthouse, cleaned, refinished and utilized in the current building. Oak
woodwork abounds on the first floor of the building. Italian marble wainscoting
enhances the tile floor. Even the doorknobs sport intricate designs. |
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To the west of the lobby
is the courtroom.
The north end of the room houses the judge's bench. |
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A close-up of the bench reveals detailed carvings and trim. |
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The wooden arch behind the bench borders the seal of the Great State of Iowa. |
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To the judge's right are three more of the circular topped stain glass windows.
Four more large windows in the back of the Courtroom are topped with amber
tinted stained glass. |
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To the judge's left is the jury box surrounded by maple woodwork, a beautiful
railing and an elaborately finished door. |
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From 1884 until 1900 a plain two story brick structure was erected on land
several Spencer citizens purchased and donated. This building was torn down
about 1900 and the current Courthouse was constructed on the same site.
September 1901 marked the first official use of our current building. The
main entrance to the courthouse faces south and is flanked by four enormous
columns built of Portage Entry Red Stone and capped with terra cotta.
Above the columns resides an American Eagle with outstretched wings surrounded
by a laurel wreath. Atop the building sits a clock tower that was added to
the original structure about 1910. |
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One of the two display cases in the first floor lobby contains relics from the
Grand Army of the Republic and is dated 1930. The rightmost case contains a flag
that was made by the women of Clay County in 1871. The 37 star flag hung outside
of the original Lincoln School. |
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Slate steps lead to the second level where the original tile floor still stands.
Over the stairs are two windows topped by circular stained glass of blue and
gold. A large memorial quilt, depicting the floor tile is displayed in the
second floor lobby. The quilt is appropriately titled, "Tiles of Clay". Beneath
the quilt is a row of chairs that were part of the seating in the original
courthouse. The lobby ceiling is accented by elaborate carvings. All woodwork on
the second floor is maple. |
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*Special Thanks to Theresa Wurth for her assistance in collecting both pictorial
and written history.
References:
A Brief Overview of Clay County History
Pictoral Atlas Clay County Iowa, Title Atlas Co, Inc., 1980. |
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