Old Roseau County Courthouse
Former government building in Minnesota, United States
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The Old Roseau County Courthouse is a former government building in Roseau, Minnesota, United States. It served as the seat of government for Roseau County from 1913 to 1996.[1] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 for its significance in the theme of politics/government.[2] It was nominated for representing the development of Roseau County's government.[3]
Roseau County Courthouse | |
The Roseau County Courthouse viewed from the northeast | |
   | |
| Location | 216 Center Street W., Roseau, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°50′45.5″N 95°45′56″W |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1913–14 |
| Built by | Hugh Fawcett |
| Architect | Lignell & Loebeck |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival[1] |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001763[2] |
| Added to NRHP | August 15, 1985 |
Description
The Old Roseau County Courthouse is a rectangular building rising two stories. The walls are brick and the hip roof is standing seam metal. The restrained ornamentation largely consists of brick pilasters topped by Ionic capitals.[1]
History
Roseau County was established in 1894 and the city of Roseau was affirmed as county seat the following year.[3] Government business was initially conducted in a repurposed wooden building.[1] Within a decade these quarters proved inadequate, and the question of building a new courthouse was put to a vote in 1913.[3] It narrowly passed 1,131 to 1,042, approving construction by the sale of bonds.[1] The architectural firm of Lignell & Loebeck, based in Duluth, Minnesota, won the contract to design this courthouse, and it was completed the following year.[3]
A new entryway was added to the courthouse in 1968.[3]
In 1996, Warroad, Minnesota, made a bid to replace Roseau as county seat but a petition drive did not succeed. A new Roseau County Courthouse was built in Roseau that deliberately echoes some architectural features of this building.[1]