We were shown at the Auditor’s office a few days ago the plans and specifications of the court house, jail, &c. which it is in contemplation to erect in this city during the coming summer. We believe the plan was adopted by the Commissioners at their session last Saturday. It will be a substantial and elegant structure - unsurpassed by any similar building in the Northwest. Mr. (A. F.) Knight of St. Paul furnished the design. (The Stillwater Messenger, Wednesday, March 6, 1867, Page 1)
Sealed Proposals will be received by the County Commissioners of Washington county Minn., until eleven o’clock, A. M. of the first day of April 1867, for the erection of a courthouse, county offices and jail in the city of Stillwater. (The Stillwater Messenger, Wednesday, March 13, 1867, Page 1)
The county Commissioners a few days since, after judicious deliberation, determined to erect the new court house of block 36 – occupying the entire block. The location is a beautiful one, and from the site selected, the building will be an ornament to the city, and the structure one of which every citizen of the county will feel a just pride. With characteristic liberality, Messrs. Churchill & Nelson donated the entire block, while other parties guaranteed one thousand dollars towards the expense of grading Third street, which leads directly to the court house grounds. The opening of Third street alone will be worth thousands of dollars to our citizens. The contract for the erection of the building was awarded to Messrs. G. M. Seymour and W. M. May at $46,500. (The Stillwater Messenger, Wednesday, April 17, 1867, Page 1)
Workmen are engaged in excavating for the cellar and foundations of the new court house on “Zion’s Hill.” We visited the grounds yesterday, and upon a view of the location were convinced more fully than ever before of the wisdom of the county Commissioners in selecting this site. It is marvelous that the location selected had not long ago been secured for public buildings or private residences. The view from nearly all portions of the city will be magnificent, while it will be accessible from all portions of the city and its approaches. When completed, it will be the finest building of the character in the State – an ornament to the city and a credit to the county. The contractors – Messrs. Seymour & May – will push the work along on the lightning line. (The Stillwater Messenger, Wednesday, May 1, 1867, Page 1)
Mr. J. W. Gregg, the well-known brick manufacturer of Chaska, has been awarded a contract for the manufacture of one million bricks in this city next summer - seven hundred thousand of which will be used in the construction of our new court house. This single branch of business will give employment to quite a large force of men. (The Stillwater Messenger, Wednesday, February 26, 1868, Page 1)
Our townsmen J. W. Gregg will soon leave town for Stillwater, where in conjunction with his partner he has taken the contract to make 1,000,000 brick, for the erection of the County buildings. We are sorry to part with Mr. Gregg, as he has been identified with Chaska for years past, and has become a part and parcel of the same. His family will take up their residence in Mankato, which place Mr. Gregg intends to make his future residence. Our loss will be Mankatos gain. (Valley Herald, Saturday, March 14, 1868, Page 1)
Mr. Gregg and family left for Mankato on the Steamer Chippewa Falls last Sunday night. (Valley Herald, Saturday, April 4, 1868, Page 1)
J. W. Gregg was in town a few days and left last Tuesday for Stillwater, with a crew of men and his National Machine. He intends to manufacture a 1,000,000 of brick the coming season. (Valley Herald, Saturday, April 25, 1868, Page 3)
Work on the new Court House is in progress. (Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, May 12, 1868, Page 4)
Cut Stone from the quarries of St. Paul are arriving for the Court House almost daily now. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, June 23, 1868, Page 4)
The steamer Flora brought up a large quantity of iron, on Sunday, for the new Court House. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, August 11, 1868, Page 4)
Workmen are engaged in the erection of a dome on the new Court House, which in respect to altitude promises to be tremendous. Seen from the ground the timbers in its construction, look fairy like, and exceedingly attenuated, but, no doubt, to the men who handle them, at that far height, they appear massive enough. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, May 4, 1869, Page 4)
The steamer Glasgow hails from Pittsburg, direct, bringing the iron doors, shutters and gratings for the jail in the new Court House. They weighed nearly thirty thousand pounds. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, May 18, 1869, Page 4)
Work on this magnificent structure is being pushed ahead with all possible dispatch. Mr. May, one of the contractors, informed us this morning that the court room would be finished in time for holding the fall term of court. The rooms for the county officers will also be completed on or before that time. Workmen are now engaged laying the tiles - a very difficult and tedious job. These tiles are of various sizes, shapes and colors, made of a peculiar clay found only in England, and shipped from there in the original packages. When finished the floors will present a beautiful, delicately tinted and variegated appearance, and will endure forever - unless the comet strikes us before that time. A large force of men is engaged on the inside of the building, and the work goes bravely on. Mr. May is deserving much credit for the persistent energy he has manifested in the prosecution of this work, in the face of numerous obstacles and discouragements. The building when finished, will be one in which our people may justly take pride. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, September 14, 1869, Page 4)
The Court House proceeds satisfactorily in every respect, save and except the laying of the tiles. These little ledgers came near swamping the whole business. The regular employees on the work gave them up in despair; and Mr. May sent to New York for a man capable of managing them. But some difficulty arose in getting assistance, and in the meantime, Mr. Willim instituted a series of satisfactory experiments, and is now engaged in laying them. Being entirely unassisted, the work proceeds slowly. He is still engaged on the first room, and there being eight or ten more of them, Mr. Willim is anxious to take an apprentice to the business. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, October 5, 1869, Page 4)
The new court house is to be ready for occupancy in two weeks - may be. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, January 4, 1870, Page 4)
The following description of the new Court House is by one of the scholars in the High school, which, as it gives a tolerable good idea of the structure, we publish: The erection of this magnificent structure was commenced nearly three years ago by the contractors, Messrs. Seymour & May, they being the lowest bidders, at $46,500. They plan was drawn by Mr. A. G. Knight, of St. Paul, an accomplished architect. It is situated in one of the most prominent places in the city - facing the north - and commands a fine view of Lake St. Croix, as well as the adjoining country for miles around. It occupies one entire block on the corner of Third and Pine, two of the pleasantest streets in the city. The building is designed for a Court House, Jail and County Officers’ rooms. Ascending the steps from the outside, we first enter the vestibule, 12 feet by 18; and then the large hall, 46 feet by 12, on the first floor, on either side of which are offices, designed for the County Officers. The first on the left is occupied by the County Auditor, the second by the County Treasurer, and the third by the Judge of Probate. On the right, the Register of Deeds occupies the first room, the Clerk of the District Court the second, and the third is used by the County Commissioners as a place for holding their meetings. Each of these rooms is about 18 by 25 feet, and supplied with all the modern conveniences. The hall and all the county officers’ rooms are laid with tiles, which were imported from England at a cost of $5,200, and present a very cheerful and pleasing appearance. These rooms and the hall are supposed to be fire-proof. At the farther end of the hall an immense iron door separates the main hall from a small entry, where the room on the left is occupied by the Sheriff, and on the right by the County Attorney; and from which by an abrupt turn at either side, we ascend a winding pair of stairs, leading to the Court room, on the second floor. This room is 64 by 54 feet, and is one of the finest and most elegant rooms in the State. The bar is separated from the spectators’ by a walnut railing; inside of which is the Judge’ s stand in the centre; on either side of which are seats for the jurors. Adjoining the court room on the right is a small room, 13 by 18 feet, for the use of the Grand Jurors, and on the left a similar one for the Petit Jurors. Ascending from the court room, we traverse a narrow passage to the cupola, by means of winding stairs, from which a fine view of the city and surrounding country is obtained. The cost of this cupola is over $3,000. On the second floor, at the left, and in the rear of the building, are several well-arranged rooms designed for the use of the Jailer. Returning to the first floor, in the rear of the building, we find the j ail room, which contains four cells, each partition being of iron, while the wall and floor are also of solid iron; and the opposite side and front consist of grating. In each of these cells are two beds, suspended by iron chains, for the use of those who might by any ill luck be detained there over night. At the left is the Jailer’s residence, which is fitted up in first-class style. At the right of the small entry a pair of stairs leads to the basement, where the cistern is located, and on either side of this basement hall, are rooms, two of which contain furnaces, and another furnace directly in the hall. The other rooms are used for wood and sundry other purposes. The whole size of the building is 70 by 116 feet. The foundation is of stone, and the rest of brick, manufactured by the company at their own yard. The brick-laying was contracted by Mr. Quantry, who executed the work in a thoroughly honest manner. The plastering was done by Mr. Arthur Stevens, and reflects much credit on him and his employees. The painting and glazing, by Messrs. Webster Bros. in creditable style. The effect on our people is excellent - especially the county officers, jury men, lawyers and judges, by having a convenient place in which to discharge their arduous and important duties; and another effect, not so pleasing, an increase of taxes. (The Stillwater Republican, Tuesday, January 11, 1870, Page 4)