The Pierce County Courthouse in

Rugby, North Dakota Rugby is a city in, and the county seat of, Pierce County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 2,509 at the 2020 census, making it the 19th largest city in North Dakota. Rugby was founded in 1886. Rugby is often billed as the geog ...

was built in 1908. It was designed by

St. Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is a regional business hub and the center o ...

architects

Buechner & Orth Buechner & Orth was a St. Paul, Minnesota-based architectural firm that designed buildings in Minnesota and surrounding states, including 13 courthouses in North Dakota. It was the subject of a 1979 historic resources study. (main body of documen ...

in Beaux Arts or Modified Renaissance style. It was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1980 as part of a multiple property submission for Buechner and Orth Courthouses in North Dakota. The front facade of the building is constructed of brown Hebron pressed brick with Beford stone trim and features paired stone columns. The building includes a central tower with columns and arched windows topped by a silver-colored dome. The dome has a diameter of 28 feet and extends to a height of 100 feet from the grade line. A newspaper article in 1910 noted: "The dome is one of the show features of the court house and has no equal at the present time in the state." The interior features four murals depicting historic scenes from Pierce County. A shield above the main entrance displays the Latin words "PAX" and "LEX." The interior rotunda and main entry hall feature purple (or dark red) marble

wainscoting Panelling (or paneling in the U.S.) is a millwork wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components. These are traditionally interlocking wood, but could be plastic or other materials. Panelling was developed in antiquity to make roo ...

and pink marble pilasters. The building included a meeting room for the county commissioners and offices for the county auditor, treasurer, and register of deeds. The courtroom on the second floor has an ornamental beamed ceiling. The historic site includes a two-story structure originally used as the sheriff's residence and jail located to the southeast of the courthouse. (section 7 pages 5-6 in Buechner and Orth Courthouses in ND TR) and (purple wainscotin describeda page 4 of photos document) In 1911, shortly after the courthouse opened, district judge

John Cowan John Cowan (born August 24, 1953) is an American soul music and progressive bluegrass vocalist and bass guitar player. He was the lead vocalist and bass player for the New Grass Revival. Cowan became the band's bassist in 1972 after the departure ...

was impeached and charged with drunken behavior, disorderly conduct, and assault. One of the incidents involved an allegation that he tried "to forcibly kiss a woman in the Pierce County courthouse at Rugby." Cowan was acquitted of the charges in a trial before the

North Dakota Senate The North Dakota Senate is the upper house of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly, smaller than the North Dakota House of Representatives. Per the state constitution, North Dakota is divided into between 40 and 54 legislative districts appor ...

References

{{National Register of Historic Places Courthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in North Dakota County courthouses in North Dakota Beaux-Arts architecture in North Dakota Government buildings completed in 1908 National Register of Historic Places in Pierce County, North Dakota 1908 establishments in North Dakota Rugby, North Dakota