Mineral County, as the name would suggest, came into being as a result of the metals and minerals to be found within its boundaries, specifically GOLD. Gold was discovered in Mineral County in the early 1860s, with settlement and development following almost immediately thereafter. In fact, the town of Superior, now the county seat, was established on the heels of mineral discoveries in the area and was named after its founders’ hometown of Superior, Wisconsin in 1869. It wasn't long until settlement stimulated the development of agriculture which remains an important economic resource in the county. While mining of precious metals remains active on a small scale, the secondary industries in the county have become logging and recreation, with its natural endowment of forests, lakes, rivers and mountains attracting more visitors each year.
While Mineral County was established on August 7, 1914, this handsome brick courthouse didn't make the scene until 1920. Designed by Harold Whitehouse of the prestigious firm of Whitehouse and Price of Spokane, Washington, and standing two and a story tall, the courthouse rests on a full height basement. Officially Colonial Revival and Georgian Revival in style, these were favorite architectural styles of the firm, repeated ad infinitum by the firm throughout the inland northwest.
Centered on the front, a two story Greek Revival portico extends outward, supported by smooth round columns with modified Corinthian capitals. Over the double door is a smaller matching portico and over that a Roman arch created with inset brick. Over the arch is the date of construction, 1920. Matching this arch are three arches on each side of the portico, forming transoms over the three ground floor windows. Each of the transoms is filled with a terra cotta relief, all identical, with a burning torch in the centre flanked by garlands flowing to the left and right. All seven brick arches have somewhat overstated stone or terra cotta keystones.
Old photos tell us that the building's façade was symmetrical when built but today has an annex on its south end, added at an unknown date.
Mineral County
Established in 1914, Mineral County is located in Northwestern Montana and is bordered by Idaho on the West. With Lolo National Forest and the St. Regis and Clark Fork rivers, the 1,223 square miles is truly a beautiful place to live. Like our name, Mineral County is as rich in opportunity as we are precious minerals. Superior, Montana is our county seat.
From Mineral County
Superior is a town in and the county seat of Mineral County, Montana, United States. The population was 812 at the 2010 census. Superior was named after its founders' hometown of Superior, Wisconsin in 1869. The post office was established in 1871 after Mineral County became the site of one of the largest gold strikes that helped settle the West.
In the 1860s and 70s, several thousand miners converged on Cedar Creek to earn their fortunes. Long after that strike played out, mining remained a mainstay of the economy. Mining, along with the development of logging and United States Forest Service activities contribute to the area's interesting history.
The town made history again in 1908, when the Superior Hotel received the first Bibles to be placed in hotel rooms by The Gideons. Today a plaque on
Mullan Road W. marks the spot.
From Wiki