Fairfield Heritage Trail :: Buildings 3 & 4

Jefferson County Courthouse, 1893
Main & Court Streets

Built in the fashionable Richardsonian Romanesque style, the courthouse design centered on a 142-foot high corner clock tower, but the top and some other details were removed in 1948.

The terra cotta bas-relief sculpture on the west wall is an allegory of Blind Justice, flanked by Harmony and Strife.

The courthouse in Red Oak, IA, is almost identical, but reversed (both designed by H. C. Koch).

A new steeple was installed on the clock tower in Nov. 2004 to replace the one that was removed in 1949 due wind damage.

See the Fairfield Ledger newspaper story about Lee Gobble and his efforts to restore the steeple.

More details are on the Prairie Architects website (also find out about plans for the roof).

More photos.

See the Civil War Plaque

Howard Park, bounded by Main St,
Grimes Ave, Court St. & BNSF RR

During the Civil War this land was used as a mustering area (see the plaque in the southwest corner). The Franklin School was here from 1868 to 1913.

In 1912 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bought the land for a new train station and was persuaded to give the remaining land back to the city (with the proviso that it remain a park).

It was later named Howard Park in honor of Elmer A. Howard, a vice-president of the railroad.

The first train had arrived on September 1, 1858, a very important event for Fairfield (the original station was at 6th Street).

The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad eventually became today's BNSF. Amtrak passenger service to Fairfield ceased on May 1, 1971.