description Polk County Courthouse Overview
The Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa, is a county government and court building erected in 1906. Designed by the Des Moines firm Proudfoot & Bird, it uses Beaux-Arts planning and ornament, with a rectangular structure and a gray limestone facade occupying a full courthouse block. Its position at the western end of Court Avenue makes it a visible civic terminus near the Des Moines River, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
help Polk County Courthouse FAQ
When was the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines completed?
The Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa, was completed and dedicated in 1906. It stands west of the Des Moines River and anchors the historic Court Avenue civic district.
What style is the Polk County Courthouse?
It is a Beaux-Arts Classical building, sometimes described as a modified Renaissance design. The courthouse was designed by the architectural firm Proudfoot and Bird. [National Register of Historic Places](https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/79000925_text)
What is distinctive about the Polk County Courthouse clock tower?
Its tall clock tower forms the eastern terminus of Court Avenue. The tower visually balances the Iowa State Capitol dome at the opposite end of the downtown composition.
Is the Des Moines Polk County Courthouse the county's first courthouse?
No, it is the third building used by Polk County for court and county-administration functions. A separate Polk County Justice Center now handles additional functions, while the 1906 courthouse remains the historic civic landmark.
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