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United States Courthouse

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1928, James A. Wetmore. Southeast corner of E. 1st and E. Walnut streets

This courthouse is another later addition to the Beaux-Arts Classical civic center. As with the Municipal Building to the north, the United States Courthouse faces the river to the west, its main axis running parallel to the river. The four-story building on a raised basement is successful not in its overall design (its proportions are a bit on the ungainly side) but in its fine detailing, both within and without. Note especially the pair of bronze lanterns at the entrance, where a large drumlike light has been placed atop a classical urn.

Writing Credits

Author: 
David Gebhard and Gerald Mansheim
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Data

What's Nearby

Municipal Court and Public Safety Building
Court Avenue Bridge
Des Moines Municipal Building
Conoco Service Station
Des Moines Public Library

Citation

David Gebhard and Gerald Mansheim, "United States Courthouse", [Des Moines, Iowa], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/IA-01-CE135.

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