One of Greeley's most iconic landmarks, the Weld County Courthouse, turns 100 on July 4, 2017. This cache is placed in honor of this beautiful building and its place in both Greeley and Weld County history.
Opened in 1917, the Weld County Courthouse once was home to the County government offices, as well as the courts. It is the sixth courthouse to serve Weld County, and the third courthouse built in Greeley. The county seat for Weld County changed hands multiple times, with Greeley winning the right in 1877. The current Courthouse was $414,302.05, which included the new wood furniture. Weld County paid cash for the courthouse through raising property taxes and money from the county building fund.
The Weld County Courthouse serves not only as an important piece for our judicial system, but as a piece of art and architecture, both inside and out. Colorado architect William M. Bowman designed the Courthouse, along with many other buildings along the Front Range. The Courthouse is a great example of Classical Revival style of architecture. The exterior is primarily Indiana limestone and terra cotta. Large granite blocks set on concrete footings make up the foundation. Steel trusses and supports make up the roof and each floor. The walls are 4 inches thick made of hard-burned brick and gypsum tile. The front is a beautiful facade, with eight three-story columns holding up the front cornice that has the words "Weld County Court House" inscribed on it. Beautiful bronze doors welcome visitors at all entrances to the building.
Inside, each floor has its own flair and architecture. The floors are made of the last building grade marble to come out of the quarry in Marble, Colorado. A massive, beautiful main staircase works visitors between all four floors. An open floor atrium opens between floors two and four. Each floor features artwork depicting things from the agricultural roots of Weld County to symbolism from Greek mythology. Each courtroom in the Courthouse features its own character and personality, with no two courtrooms looking exactly the same. One stunning feature is the stained glass windows that line the main staircase. On the landing between the third and fourth floor, beautiful stained glass state seals are featured, along with the Colorado state motto, "NIL SINE NUMINE," which means, "Nothing without divine will."
One other unique feature of the Courthouse is its pneumatic clock system. A master clock on the second floor that looks like a grandfather clock uses air pressure to power its internal components. A bellows at the top of the pendulum expands and contracts every 60 seconds, moving the clock hands forward. A system of metal tubes built in to the walls power several "slave" or secondary clocks located throughout the building. Thanks to the efforts of many people, the Court was able to find someone who specializes in these kinds of clocks and the Master clock is now functioning. Sadly, due to oversight and disrepair through the years, the slave clocks no longer run off of the pneumatic system, but the original slave clocks have had new, modern movements installed.
Currently, the Courthouse is one of three buildings that comprise the 19th Judicial District Court Complex. It also houses the administrative offices of the 19th District and the office of the Chief Judge. As you seek this cache, take a moment to stand in the imposing, impressive shadow of this beautiful piece of history and marvel how intricately preserved it is. Tours are available to the public in groups of 10 or more, reserved by contacting the District Administrator.
Did I mention, it has quite the haunted history as well. Perhaps in another cache.....
~ Congratulations to quinnster412 for FTF!`~