The New Court House Of 1897
A detailed description of the exterior of the new court house does not
seem necessary; it stands out with such grandeur. A typical temple of
justice. The finely proportioned dome, the four turrets, and two
pavilions, most materially add to the structure. Its dimensions are one
hundred and fifty feet long, fifty feet wide, with extended pavilions and
turrets on the two sides. The main structure is sixty feet high, the
central dome towering to a height of one hundred and fifty feet. The
magnificent, strong and stable presentation of the interior, including the
marble work, wood work, painting, tile flooring, bronze, iron, fresco and
other ornamental work, harmonize; all reflecting great credit on the
architects, Gunn and Curtis; Charles J. Larkin, the contractor, and
Stephen J. Collin, superintendent.
In the basement is the engine room, fans, steam pipes, engineer's work
room, and store room for old time files and records. The. boiler room is
in a separate brick building in the rear of the jail building, a tunnel
running from the boiler room, to the engine room of the court house. On
the first floor are grouped the offices of the sheriff, the master in
chancery, the coroner, the janitor, the county superintendent of schools,
ladies' waiting room, the county surveyor, public and ladies' lavatories,
and waiting rooms. Broad stairways lead to the upper floors, also a good
elevator.
On the second floor are the offices of county judge, circuit clerk, county
clerk, county treasurer, also county court room and super-visors' room.
The circuit and county clerks' offices have large, well lighted, roomy
vaults adjoining, fitted with metallic furnishings.
On the third floor circuit court room, judge's private room, court
stenographer's rooms, court library room, clerk of the court room, rooms
for state's attorney. (private and reception), jury rooms, and witness
rooms. On the fourth floor is the Memorial Hall designed for the Grand
Army of the Republic members, and other loyal societies. The furnishings
throughout all the offices are exceedingly rich, tasty, and substantial.
The following material was used in its construction: Over 2,000 perch of
LeClaire stone was used in the foundation, which is laid on rock
foundation, with one foot of rock concrete on the bottom to fill holes and
level off. The base or water table is of Carthage, Mo., granite; the die
and sill course of dressed blue Bedford stone. The first and second
stories of rock-faced buff Bedford stone and the two upper stories of
sand-rubbed buff Bedford. Eighteen thousand cubic feet of stone was used
above the foundations; 360 tons of iron beams in the buildings, 120 tons
of steel was used in the construction of the tower, and about eighty tons
of steel was used in the ornamental work. One million six hundred thousand
hard brick was purchased and used in the structure; eighty tons of copper
for cornices and roofing; 40,000 square feet fire proofing for arches;
15,000 square feet of plain plastering, besides a large amount of
ornamental stucco work; 30,000 feet of maple flooring, together with
11,000 square feet Mosiac flooring; 7,500 feet Tennessee marble
wainscoting.
The floors contain 2,250,000 pieces of marble. Four nations contribute to
the floor; black marble from Belgium, red from France, white from Italy,
and pink from Tennessee.
The board of supervisors, through their broad and liberal spirit, together
with the strenuous and faithful efforts of the citizens' committee brought
about the result of giving the county the handsome building we have. The
dedication ceremonies occurred March 31, 1897, and were unusually
prominent, the new court house being opened for inspection, the circuit
court in session in the old court house, adjourning to the new court house
for the dedication ceremonies, and occupancy by the court, and the
presentation by the chairman of the board of supervisors of the keys of
the new building to the sheriff of the county.
The following addresses were made by William Jackson and Charles L.
Walker, the sentiment of which toward the bench and the bar were
exceptionally complimentary.
Early Settlements of Rock Island County
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908