Frieze Art on Marion County Courthouse - Palmyra, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 47.951 W 091° 31.404
15S E 626413 N 4406512
Neat and large at work of main entrance
Waymark Code: WMMRYA
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 10/31/2014
Views: 2
County of art: Marion County
Location of art: US 61 (Business) [Main St.], over entrance to courthouse, Palmyra
Architect: William N. Bowman
"Eight or 10 architects competed for the right to draw plans for the courthouse in Palmyra. There were three finalists: Jerome B. Legg, St. Louis, architect of several Missouri courthouses; George Behrensmeyer, Quincy, Illinois; and William N. Bowman, Grand Rapids, Michigan. First, the court gave the commission to Behrensmeyer, but apparently he could not provide the court with an acceptable plan and was asked to withdraw. Next, the court adopted the plans of Bowman. Trouble came again when Bowman left the Michigan firm with which he had been associated; the firm claimed the right to the plan, but Bowman contested their position. Palmyra proceeded with Bowman and his original plan.
"Initially designed for red brick, dark gray brick was substituted. The courthouse measures 113 by 79 feet. The court awarded the building contract to F. W. Menke Stone and Lime Company, Quincy, Illinois, on July 2, 1900, for $41,600. Cornerstone ceremonies were conducted Oct. 25, 1900, and the building was completed and accepted by the court Aug. 3, 1901. The central tower, the round, arched, recessed entries and the Romanesque details characterize the most popular courthouse design at the end of the 19th century" ~ University of Missouri, Extension