Washington County Courthouse - Washington, KS
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 49.081 W 097° 03.046
14S E 666832 N 4409377
Art Deco, 5th courthouse for this county.
Waymark Code: WM10JJC
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 05/16/2019
Views: 3
County of courthouse: Washington County
Location of courthouse: C St., between E. 2nd St. & E. 3rd St., Washington
Built: 1932-34
Architect: Overend and Boucher, Wichita
Built: Blaser and Vollmer Construction Company, Wichita
"The Washington County Courthouse (c. 1932- 1934) is a two-story, rectangular Art Deco building constructed of
Bedford limestone. Two-story, square towers project from each corner of the building. The courthouse maintains
a western facade orientation, it measures 102' from north to south and 94' from east to west. An above grade
basement provides useable office space in the lower level. A watertable projects from the building, providing further
definition for the above grade windows. Standing in the center of the 2.5 acre public square, the courthouse is
situated on the site of the previous courthouse.
"As an example of the Art Deco style, the Washington County Courthouse is characterized by linear and angular
features. Its smooth stone walls are decorated with stylized geometric motifs done both in stone and metal. Simple
cubic forms and flat surfaces provide the basis for applied stylistic ornament that is normally in very low relief with
a flat front plane.
"The Art Deco style is characterized by linear and angular features, where smooth stone walls are often decorated
with stylized geometric motifs done both in stone and metal. Simple cubic forms and flat surfaces provide the basis
for applied stylistic ornament that is normally in very low relief with a flat front plane. Favored motifs are zigzags,
chevrons and geometries as well as floral and vegetal patterns. The style was popularized by the Paris Exposition
Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industrieles Modernes of 1925 and was widely used in architecture during the
1930s, including skyscraper designs such as the Chrsysler Building in New York.
"The courthouse cost $102,000 to build and furnish. The architectural firm of Overend and Boucher received
$3,469.33 for their design services. The Wichita construction firm of Blaser and Vollmer were selected to construct
the building and received $70,078.75 for their services. H. J. Hall of Wichita was paid $1,358 for wiring; MooreRobertson Company of Wichita was paid $8414.79 for plumbing and heating; the cost for lumber and labor was
$1,828.65; furniture, fixtures and floor coverings cost $14,672.57; Washington Gas and Electric was paid $2,012.91
for electrical fixtures; and $165 was paid for the cornerstone." ~ NRHP Nomination Form