Chippewa County was split off from Michilimackinaw County (formed from the entire Upper Peninsula and part of the lower) in 1826. Sault Ste. Marie was chosen as the county seat.[2] The Chippewa County Courthouse was built in 1877 for $20,000,[2] using a design by Detroit architect William Scott[3] and his son John. In 1904, a rear addition costing $25,000,[2] designed by R. C. Sweat, was added to the structure. A second addition was constructed in approximately 1930.[3]
In the 1980, the courthouse was completely renovated. Paint was stripped off woodwork, new doors and windows were installed, and the face of the tower clock was restored.[2]
Description
Courthouse, 1905
The Chippewa County Courthouse is a three-story Second Empire built of cut stone. The original courthouse was a rectangular plan; the 1904 addition made the whole structure into a T-plan. The Second Empire architectural style is consistent between the original courthouse and the later additions.[3] The stone walls are two feet (0.61 m) thick,[2] and the building features a contrasting, red-colored stone in beltcourses, quoins, lintels, and entryways. The center entrance is set in a slightly projecting pavilion topped with a pediment. Windows on the first floor have a segmented arch, while second-story windows are elliptically arched. Both the main structure and the clock tower are topped with a mansard roof;[3] the roof was originally covered with slate but is now covered with asphalt shingles.[2] Round windows were added to the mansard roof in 1904.[3]
Inside, original stamped tin ceilings are still installed.[3] Pillars inside the courtroom have ornate cast iron capitals, and the radiators are covered with grillwork.[2]
