Hamilton County Courthouse - Aurora, Nebraska
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 40° 52.079 W 098° 00.153
14T E 584054 N 4524580
Historical marker located in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse in Aurora, Nebraska.
Waymark Code: WMNFF
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 08/26/2006
Views: 59
This building is Hamilton County's third courthouse. The
first was built in Orville City, the original county seat, in 1870. After five
elections, Aurora was chosen as county seat in 1876. To assure the victory, the
town constructed the second courthouse here in Central Park Square in 1877. It
was destroyed by fire in January 1894.
In March 1894 the county board hired architect William Gray
of Lincoln, who had designed several Nebraska courthouses, to provide plans for
a new building. Voters approved $60,000 in bonds for its construction and
furnishing. The courthouse was completed in 1895.
The Hamilton County Courthouse is built in the county Capitol
Style, emulating the shape of the U.S. Capitol. Here a tall spire is used
instead of a central dome, and red brick with Colorado sandstone instead of
marble. The architectural detailing follows American Round Arch designs made
popular by Boston architect H.H. Richardson. The stability of county government
is suggested by the building's impressive exterior and by the ornate white oak
woodwork inside. The courthouse is listed in The National Register of Historic
Places. ~ market text
Hamilton County Courthouse Centennial committee
Nebraska State Historical Society
June 24, 1995