Owyhee County Courthouse

United States historic place
Owyhee County Courthouse
The Owyhee County Courthouse in 2019
43°13′01″N 116°33′01″W / 43.21694°N 116.55028°W / 43.21694; -116.55028 (Owyhee County Courthouse)
Arealess than one acre
Built1936 (1936)
ArchitectTourtellotte & Hummel
Architectural styleModern Movement, Art deco
MPSTourtellotte and Hummel Architecture TR
NRHP reference No.82000357[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 17, 1982

The Owyhee County Courthouse in Murphy, Idaho, is a 1-story Art Deco building designed by Tourtellotte & Hummel and constructed in 1936. The brick building features a prominent entry with fluted pilasters on either side of a square arch, with foliated sunburst panels that frame an entablature of floral, triangular, and wavelet designs. A panel above the entry reads, "Owyhee County Courthouse." The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[2]

History

Owyhee County was organized in Idaho Territory in 1863, and the county seat was first at Ruby City (1863-1867), then at Silver City (1867-1934), and in 1934 voters moved the county seat to Murphy.[3] The Idaho State Legislature ratified the move in 1999, officially changing the Idaho Code to reflect the relocation from Silver City to Murphy.[4]

In 1936 the county built a new courthouse on what was then a section of State Highway 45, now State Highway 78, at Murphy.[5] A dancehall had been the temporary courthouse, and it burned in 1939.[6]

The Owyhee County Courthouse was renovated and expanded in 1973, with 1-story brick additions at either end of the original structure.[7]

The only parking meter in Owyhee County was installed at the courthouse in the early 1950s.[8][9]

See also

  • Gem County Courthouse

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Owyhee County Courthouse". National Park Service. Retrieved May 6, 2019. With accompanying pictures
  3. ^ Walt Schramm (January 24, 1960). "Town of Murphy, Owyhee County Seat, Rates High as One of Most Unusual in Country". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 26.
  4. ^ Tim Woodward (January 25, 1999). "65 Years in Wrong Town". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho.
  5. ^ "Court to Meet in New Building". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. May 14, 1936. p. 20.
  6. ^ "It wasn't very much of a fire...". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. April 30, 1939. p. 6.
  7. ^ "Local Art Works May Adorn Revamped Owyhee Courthouse". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. February 9, 1974. p. 14.
  8. ^ "Jet". Johnson Publishing Co. August 21, 1980. p. 19. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  9. ^ "Penny Kills Lone Meter in Owyhee". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. September 9, 1966. p. 19.
  • Media related to Owyhee County Courthouse at Wikimedia Commons
  • Owyhee County Government website
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