| Location | 20381 State Highway 78, Murphy, Idaho |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°13′01″N 116°33′01″W |
| Locmapin | Idaho#USA |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Tourtellotte & Hummel |
| Architecture | Modern Movement, Art deco |
| Added | November 17, 1982 |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Mpsub | Tourtellotte and Hummel Architecture TR |
| Refnum | 82000357[1] |
The Owyhee County Courthouse in Murphy, Idaho, is a 1-story Art Deco building designed by Tourtellotte & Hummel and constructed in 1936. The brick building features a prominent entry with fluted pilasters on either side of a square arch, with foliated sunburst panels that frame an entablature of floral, triangular, and wavelet designs. A panel above the entry reads, "Owyhee County Courthouse." The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[2]
History
Owyhee County was organized in Idaho Territory in 1863, and the county seat was first at Ruby City (1863-1867), then at Silver City (1867-1934), and in 1934 voters moved the county seat to Murphy.[3] The Idaho State Legislature ratified the move in 1999, officially changing the Idaho Code to reflect the relocation from Silver City to Murphy.[4]
In 1936 the county built a new courthouse on what was then a section of State Highway 45, now State Highway 78, at Murphy.[5] A dancehall had been the temporary courthouse, and it burned in 1939.[6]
The Owyhee County Courthouse was renovated and expanded in 1973, with 1-story brick additions at either end of the original structure.[7]
The only parking meter in Owyhee County was installed at the courthouse in the early 1950s.[8][9]
See also
References
- ^
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Owyhee County Courthouse". National Park Service. Retrieved May 6, 2019. With
- ^ Walt Schramm (January 24, 1960). "Town of Murphy, Owyhee County Seat, Rates High as One of Most Unusual in Country". Idaho Statesman. p. 26.
- ^ Tim Woodward (January 25, 1999). "65 Years in Wrong Town". Idaho Statesman
- ^ "Court to Meet in New Building". Idaho Statesman. May 14, 1936. p. 20.
- ^ "It wasn't very much of a fire...". Idaho Statesman. April 30, 1939. p. 6.
- ^ "Local Art Works May Adorn Revamped Owyhee Courthouse". Idaho Statesman. February 9, 1974. p. 14.
- ^ "Jet". Johnson Publishing Co. August 21, 1980. p. 19. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ "Penny Kills Lone Meter in Owyhee". Idaho Statesman. September 9, 1966. p. 19.
External links
- Owyhee County Government website