Steele County Courthouse History

After the 1856 organization of Steele County, a store was rented in Owatonna to conduct court business,  By 1874, a one-story brick building for county offices had been completed at a cost of $5,000.  The building still stands at 139 East Main Street and houses the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce.  However, court was held at that time in the second story of a building on the corner of Cedar and Vine.

In 1884, voters defeated a $35,000 bond issue to build a new courthouse.  Bonds were finally sold for a new building in 1891, after voters approved $30,000 in bonds.

The classical Romanesque Revival style courthouse was designed by T.D. Allen of Minneapolis and built by Leck and McLeod.  It is shown above in a 1958 photograph.  Built of Austin red brick set with red mortar, and trimmed with Lake Superior brown stone, the 115 by 86 foot courthouse rises three stories above a full basement.  Coupled arches supported by polished granite columns protect the north and south entrances.  A large sculpture representing Mercy, Law, and Justice is set in a niche above the north entry.

On the northwest corner, the main tower rises five stories to its pyramidal cap with a clock on each side, as well as minarets and gables.   A low circular tower is located on the northeast corner and on the southwest sit a minor square tower and roof ridges emphasized with tile crowns.

Changes in the courtroom were made with federal money in 1934.  A two-story brick addition at the rear of the building was designed by Gauger-Parrish of St. Paul in 1975-76.  The inside of the building has also been remodeled.  An elevator was installed in 1975, a sprinkler system was installed in 1977-78, and air conditioning and other restoration work has taken place.  However, the wainscoting, woodwork, and ornate oak staircase have all been retained.