Sullivan County Courthouse - Milan, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 40° 12.141 W 093° 07.501
15T E 489360 N 4450223
"This courthouse has clean art deco lines with classic light fixtures flanking the front entrance. Above the entrance are 3 doves holding the scales of justice." ~ Living New Deal
Waymark Code: WM11T9M
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 12/15/2019
Views: 1
County of courthouse: Sullivan County
Location of courthouse: Main St. & 3rd St., Milan
Architect: Lyle V. DeWitt
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Dedicated: 1939
contractor: W.H. Barenfanger
"The last major addition to the landscape of Milan was the completion, finally, of a new Art-Deco courthouse designed by local Lyle V. DeWitt, no doubt spurred on by Works Progress Administration funds, opening in 1938." ~ St. Louis Patina
"Milan had a favorite son architect, Lyle V. DeWitt, raised in Green City. At an early age, DeWitt showed interest in architecture. Upon graduation from a school of architecture in Illinois, DeWitt was the natural choice for designing the 1938 courthouse, in spite of being only 23 years of age.
"The Public Works Administration approved the plans for courthouse and jail in June. Contracts were let in October 1938 to Walter Barenfanger, Vandalia, Illinois, for the three-story, 110-by-66-foot building constructed of buff brick with Indiana limestone entrances.
"Anticipating elevators at a later date, DeWitt left shafts for them in his plans. A community room in the basement is still an asset to Milan; a well-maintained, carefully preserved courtroom occupies the second floor. The initial request estimated costs to come to $136,500; construction contracts totaled about $125,500." ~ Extension, University of Missouri