Mohave County Courthouse and Jail, Neoclassical courthouse and jail complex in Kingman, Arizona.
Mohave County Courthouse is a two-story courthouse in Kingman built from local stone quarried nearby. The building displays classical features with ornamental cornices and forms a connected complex together with an adjoining jail building.
The complex was designed and built in 1915 by architectural firm Lescher & Kibbey, shortly after Arizona became a state in 1912. The jail building was constructed in 1909 as a replacement for an older facility that had a problem with frequent prisoner escapes.
The building reflects the construction style common in early 1900s America as new states built their own courthouses to establish civic identity. Visitors can see how the architecture was meant to express the authority and stability that a young community needed.
The jail building from that era sits between the courthouse and the newer court building and is now used by county administration offices. Visitors can observe the architecture and layout of this historic complex from the outside.
The original jail had become a growing problem for the community after several successful escapes. The enhanced security features built into the 1909 facility made escape attempts significantly more difficult.
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