Topic: Freeborn County Courthouse
started by: n0esc
Posted by n0esc on Feb. 05 2005,10:17 pm
Maybe they missed this picture before starting the "restoration"
Posted by communist cats go mao on Mar. 03 2005,7:19 pm
I am sorry for bumping a lot of these old threads, but there are some wonderful buildings, and I have no idea about thier storyWhy was the belfry knocked down on the old courthouse. I walked down Broadway a lot, and noticed that funny 'cap' and wondered why it was built like that, but now I see there used to be more to the building at one point
Posted by Replicant on Mar. 03 2005,10:29 pm
The bell tower was removed in the early 50's as I have seen a picture of it shortly before the '54 addition was built. However, in that picture the peaked roof appears to be much shorter than in this picture above, and others. I hadn't really noticed before looking at these pictures that the roof on the tower had been shortened. I know there were "structural" problems and leakage, so that the clock tower was eventually taken down. Evidently there were attempts to correct it first, judging by changes in the roof.
Posted by Replicant on Mar. 03 2005,10:49 pm
Here's the photo from the early 50's judging by the cars. Notice how much shorter the peaked roof on the bell tower is compared to the older photo.
Posted by DrBombay on Mar. 04 2005,8:39 am
I don't think I've ever seen a picture with the courthouse in its full glory like this one. Wow, what a magnificent piece of work. Think of the attraction it would be for us today if it had been kept in its original form.
Posted by Botto 82 on Mar. 09 2005,11:41 pm
My grandmother said the clock was removed, after someone hung himself up there.
Posted by DrBombay on Mar. 10 2005,1:18 pm
That's kind of an intriging story. They never did positively identify the man who hung himself. A red haired fellow who may have been a hobo if I remember correctly. Maybe Nose for News can work his magic and pull up an article on this. Is that why they took the clock tower down?
Posted by Replicant on Mar. 10 2005,5:00 pm
I see the picture I wanted to post didn't work, will try to fix that.The person who hung himself in the tower happened sometime in the 1930s. The tower was not taken down until the late 40's or early 50's. Judging by the cars in the picture I am referring to, it is clearly after WWII.
Posted by jimhanson on Mar. 10 2005,5:07 pm
The tower apparently was taken down when the 54 building was built. From < http://www.courts.state.mn.us/Courtho....&page=2 >| Quote |
| In 1953, five chimneys and four steeples were eliminated. In 1955, local architect Bernard Hein and contractor John F. Hanson built a $358,260 addition, pictured above. The bell tower and its 1,600 pound bell were also removed from the main courthouse. The bell was sold to the Grace Lutheran Church congregation for $100. |
Notice the new building described as 1955.
Posted by Replicant on Mar. 10 2005,5:44 pm
Yes, I forgot about the bell, that really dates it to happening in the fifties. There was an article about Grace Lutheran's history a while back which talked about the bell coming from the courthouse. Must have been their 50th year since founding the congregation. I thought it was nice to know the bell was still around.
Posted by Botto 82 on Mar. 11 2005,1:50 am
The 1955 addition couldn't be a worse fit with the old courthouse. What were they thinking?
Posted by jimhanson on Mar. 11 2005,9:25 am
I don't think they were thinking about a fit with the old courthouse--I think they were contemplating tearing it down. The old jail was just to the east of the 54-55 building, and they tore that down. The 74 building and "new" jail was added on--but they never got around to tearing down the old courthouse--government kept expanding to fill the space--faster than they could build new--until Gabe rode into town. 
Posted by AP Tim on Jan. 11 2011,2:54 pm
Here is a pic I got off of EBay when we were building the New Goverment Center.
Posted by pantalonesverdes on Jan. 31 2011,9:46 am
(Replicant @ Mar. 03 2005,11:29 pm)
QUOTE
The bell tower was removed in the early 50's as I have seen a picture of it shortly before the '54 addition was built. However, in that picture the peaked roof appears to be much shorter than in this picture above, and others. I hadn't really noticed before looking at these pictures that the roof on the tower had been shortened. I know there were "structural" problems and leakage, so that the clock tower was eventually taken down. Evidently there were attempts to correct it first, judging by changes in the roof.
I too have read that the tower became shorter in stages due to some structural instability.