teresayvonne
Lawrence County Courthouse, Deadwood SD-2nd view
The first county courthouse was destroyed in the great fire of 1879, along with all the records. The courts were held in a rented building until 1889, when a two-story brick structure was completed on the corner of Sherman and Pine streets. It was demolished in 1906 and replaced with the present Lawrence County Courthouse.
On the ceiling was painted a large allegorical figure entitled "Justice and Mechanics" painted directly on the ceiling by E.A. Soderberg. The jury room was decorated with hand-painted frieze around the room showing a plow scene.
The series of four paintings in the slanting roof of the cupola represented placer miners of the early days in the act of panning gold, a view of the great Homestake Gold Mine showing the highest development of the mining industry, the famous Spearfish falls located in Spearfish canyon, and a view of the town of Spearfish. There were also painted by Soderberg at the Wisconsin headquarters and shipped to Deadwood. Centered at the top of the cupola is a beautiful colored stained glass window.
On February 8, 1908, the present courthouse was dedicated. "Like a small state capitol" was the comment made by an eastern visitor, ironic since the same architect, C.E. Belle, also designed the South Dakota State Capitol building in Pierre built in 1909. Every room, as well as the halls, were furnished with artistic brass electric light fixtures to which gas lamps can be added at any time. The floors throughout were composed of beautiful mosaic work and Greek fret borders near the walls. All of the woodwork and furnishings Judge's Benchwere of the very best quality of golden oak.
In 1985 the Lawrence County Courthouse was condemned, being declared structurally unsound, due to support problems in the flooring. The building was vacated in December, 1985, and the county officers were moved to various locations throughout Deadwood. The Lawrence County Commissioners began the difficult task of consulting experts in the field of architecture and engineering in an attempt to find a resolution to the situation.
On November 4, 1986, the majority vote was to save the 1908 Lawrence County Courthouse. Passage of the initiative required the county to restore or renovate the building. Again, laborious time was spent and various needs studies evaluated. In May , 1990, Lawrence County entered into bonded indebtedness for $5.8 million to fund restoration and renovation of the courthouse, to build a new administrative building and central plaza area, and remodel the existing Public Safety Center. Numerous contributions by local entities made the special project restoration possible.
Taken from www.lawrence.sd.us/courthou1.htm
Lawrence County Courthouse, Deadwood SD-2nd view
The first county courthouse was destroyed in the great fire of 1879, along with all the records. The courts were held in a rented building until 1889, when a two-story brick structure was completed on the corner of Sherman and Pine streets. It was demolished in 1906 and replaced with the present Lawrence County Courthouse.
On the ceiling was painted a large allegorical figure entitled "Justice and Mechanics" painted directly on the ceiling by E.A. Soderberg. The jury room was decorated with hand-painted frieze around the room showing a plow scene.
The series of four paintings in the slanting roof of the cupola represented placer miners of the early days in the act of panning gold, a view of the great Homestake Gold Mine showing the highest development of the mining industry, the famous Spearfish falls located in Spearfish canyon, and a view of the town of Spearfish. There were also painted by Soderberg at the Wisconsin headquarters and shipped to Deadwood. Centered at the top of the cupola is a beautiful colored stained glass window.
On February 8, 1908, the present courthouse was dedicated. "Like a small state capitol" was the comment made by an eastern visitor, ironic since the same architect, C.E. Belle, also designed the South Dakota State Capitol building in Pierre built in 1909. Every room, as well as the halls, were furnished with artistic brass electric light fixtures to which gas lamps can be added at any time. The floors throughout were composed of beautiful mosaic work and Greek fret borders near the walls. All of the woodwork and furnishings Judge's Benchwere of the very best quality of golden oak.
In 1985 the Lawrence County Courthouse was condemned, being declared structurally unsound, due to support problems in the flooring. The building was vacated in December, 1985, and the county officers were moved to various locations throughout Deadwood. The Lawrence County Commissioners began the difficult task of consulting experts in the field of architecture and engineering in an attempt to find a resolution to the situation.
On November 4, 1986, the majority vote was to save the 1908 Lawrence County Courthouse. Passage of the initiative required the county to restore or renovate the building. Again, laborious time was spent and various needs studies evaluated. In May , 1990, Lawrence County entered into bonded indebtedness for $5.8 million to fund restoration and renovation of the courthouse, to build a new administrative building and central plaza area, and remodel the existing Public Safety Center. Numerous contributions by local entities made the special project restoration possible.
Taken from www.lawrence.sd.us/courthou1.htm