Sioux County Courthouse

The Sioux County Courthouse is a six-story courthouse building in Orange City featuring a prominent central tower in Romanesque Revival style. Its exterior combines dark red sandstone with light buff-colored sandstone trim, and the main entrance showcases a deep rusticated arch.

The building replaced an original log structure from Calliope after Orange City was designated the county seat through an 1872 referendum decision. After a lightning strike in 1907, it underwent extensive restoration and reconstruction work.

The building displays a statue of Justice positioned on its tower, part of restoration efforts following lightning damage that struck the structure in 1907.

The courthouse is open during standard business hours on weekdays for county administrative services, court proceedings, and public document access. Visitors should expect security procedures and check in advance about any specific requirements for accessing particular areas.

The building houses an E. Howard & Co. clock mechanism that was originally driven by weights and later fitted with an electric motor while keeping its historical components intact. This hybrid system shows how the structure was adapted to meet modern needs without sacrificing its original features.

Location: Iowa

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 43.00444,-96.05833

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:16