Hamilton County Courthouse - Aurora, Nebraska
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 40° 52.088 W 098° 00.120
14T E 584101 N 4524598
Hamilton County Courthouse is located in Aurora, Nebraska
Waymark Code: WMNFR
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 08/26/2006
Views: 8
"This building is Hamilton County's third courthouse. The first was built in
Orville City, the original county seat, in 1870. After five elections, Aurora
was chosen as county seat in 1876. To assure the victory, the town constructed
the second courthouse here in Central Park Square in 1877. It was destroyed by
fire in January 1894.
In March 1894 the county board hired architect William Gray of Lincoln, who
had designed several Nebraska courthouses, to provide plans for a new building.
Voters approved $60,000 in bonds for its construction and furnishing. The
courthouse was completed in 1895.
The Hamilton County Courthouse is built in the county Capitol Style,
emulating the shape of the U.S. Capitol. Here a tall spire is used instead of a
central dome, and red brick with Colorado sandstone instead of marble. The
architectural detailing follows American Round Arch designs made popular by
Boston architect H.H. Richardson. The stability of county government is
suggested by the building's impressive exterior and by the ornate white oak
woodwork inside. " ~ text of historical marker