Decatur County Courthouse, courthouse in Iowa, United States
The Decatur County Courthouse is a government building in Leon, Iowa, completed in 1908 and designed in the Renaissance Revival style. The two-story structure with a raised basement features red brick walls, a prominent clock tower rising above the roof, and decorative Gibbs surrounds framing the tall windows, with durable materials including iron, steel, marble, and granite throughout.
Early attempts at a courthouse in the county met with disaster when structures were destroyed by windstorms and fire, including the loss of important records. The current building was constructed in 1908 and registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, marking a turning point in the county's institutional stability.
The building sits at a quiet corner in Leon's downtown, easily located by its distinctive clock tower visible from a distance. Stone steps lead up to the main entrance, and a small grassy area with benches surrounds the structure, creating a peaceful spot to stop and observe.
Thieves once attempted to crack the Treasurer's safe by detonating an explosion, creating a large hole in the building's wall but failing to access the vault itself. This incident from the earlier brick courthouse shows the robustness of the structure and remains a notable part of the building's legacy.
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