Sioux City Courthouse

A while back I drove to Sioux City to see the Woodbury County courthouse. This is the most unique and incredible courthouse in Iowa. It was designed by Purcell and Elmslie -- two students of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Prairie design. This courthouse was completed in 1918. You see references to World War I throughout the building.

This was THE picture I wanted to get. It is a distinctive light fixture on the second floor with the dome in the background.



Light many Prairie School Design buildings, they are not always over powering from the outside. One of the first things you do notice about this style are the windows.



There is often ornamental work on the outside of the building.



Here's a closer look at one of the doorways.



There are four large murals above the main lobby. In this image you can see a drinking fountain - it has a blue background.



Here's a closer look.



These are the steps going to the second floor. If you look really close, you can see the flags of seven countries. These were Allies in World War I.



You can see the flags in this photograph. During World War II, the Japanese and Italian flags were covered with black shoe polish. It was just very recently the flags of those two countries were revealed again.



Here's what a courtroom looks like. You won't see many like this. Notice the jury box is made up of four rows of three chairs each.



This skylight is the courtroom.



How 'bout these windows? I believe there are four courtrooms that look like this one.



Of particular interest was this display case filled with musical instruments.



Look at the sign.



The detail in the large dome is incredible. This dome is made of solid glass -- no plastic here!



Photographs do not do a building like this justice (pun intended). But they give you an idea. As Johanna would say, I was completely gobsmacked by this building.

Thanks for stopping by.

Small Town Art

The other day I drove through several small towns. There were some interesting sights.

In one small town there was a mural that covered the entire side of a building.
See the two women on the far right hand side? Notice the door? The woman on the left is actually painted on a door - though the door is hard to see since it is part of a gray building.



When you look closer the concrete bricks make the mural look like a mosaic. I like the yellow dress and hat with the red trim.



This dog reminded me of my own dog, Bailey.



Oh. Here's the REAL Chautauqua Building in this small town. It is surrounded by flood water but is actually in a large city park. Chautauqua referred to a town gathering usually held in a big top tent. These gatherings were popular from about 1890 to 1920 or so. Some towns actually had a special building. This is the only Chautauqua building left in Iowa.



In Sioux City I saw this office building with a more professional mural.



This is really nice.



Not surprisingly, the Sioux City Art Center is across the street. I like the building.



In front of the Art Center is this interesting dog.



Look at quotation painted on the base. I remember this from Bobby Kennedy's funeral.



Later in the day I was driving through another small town and noticed this movie theatre. I love the red marquee and the art deco building. Then I noticed the painted dog.



I think I found the brother to the dog in Sioux City!



Thanks for stopping by.