Eastern Middlesex County Second District Court, Art Deco courthouse in Waltham, Massachusetts.
The Eastern Middlesex County Second District Court is a courthouse in Waltham, Massachusetts built between 1938 and 1940 and features Art Deco characteristics. The structure stands out with yellow brick walls trimmed in cast stone, a central pavilion topped with glass brick windows, and a distinctive pyramidal roof with a skylight that floods the main lobby through three tall glass brick bays.
The courthouse was built in the late 1930s as the Eastern Middlesex District Courts underwent their first major expansion beyond East Cambridge. This new building emerged during an era when Art Deco design defined government structures across the United States and states sought to demonstrate progress through modern architecture.
The building displays Art Deco design through geometric shapes, ram's head lamps, and decorative mosaic tiles in the lobby that greet visitors upon entry. These ornamental details from the 1930s shape the interior spaces and give them a refined, period character.
The building sits in downtown Waltham and is easy to reach on foot from major streets nearby. Keep in mind that this is an active courthouse, so some areas may be restricted and formal dress is appropriate for visitors.
The pyramidal roof structure with a skylight is an unusual feature for a courthouse and creates an unexpected architectural highlight. Many visitors overlook this roof element from the front but immediately notice the bright, airy feeling in the lobby created by this clever light design.
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