Marshall County Courthouse

The Marshall County Courthouse in Marshalltown, Iowa, was built between 1884 and 1886 on land given to the county by the town's founder, Henry Anson, with the provision that a courthouse costing at least $100,000 would be built.  Construction costs totalled just short of $150,000.

Our objective in visiting the courthouse was to visit the clock tower and see the view from the top of the courthouse like we did in Grundy County.  Papa and I were told that the clock tower is closed during the winter, but tours are available during the summer months, so we contented ourselves with admiring the architecture and visiting a courtroom.

The photo in the upper left hand corner looks up toward the chandelier on the next floor.  The photos on the right show the entry, and on the lower left, the doorway that leads to the Auditor/Recorder's office.

During the Great Depression, the county was not able to afford the upkeep of the courthouse, and its condition deteriorated so much that a replacement was contemplated.  A committee to save the courthouse was formed, and after a referendum where Marshall County citizens voted to keep and restore the old courthouse, the county issued $3.2 million in bonds in 1974 for a restoration.  The rebuilding process was completed in 1978.

On the third floor we visited one of the courtrooms.  It was large, with a majestic, elevated ceiling.  The fourth floor courtroom was unavailable for touring, as court was in session.  

I've always wondered why people seem to dislike jury duty so much, apart from the fact that it upsets their schedules.  In old television shows it always seems there's at least one dissenting jury member who makes life difficult for all the others--whether Lucy in Here's Lucy or Aunt Bee in The Andy Griffith Show.

Have you ever done jury duty?  If so, what did you think of it?

Which tv shows do you recall with an episode where the star had to do jury duty?

 "Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." --Amos 5:24