Koochiching is derived from the Cree word “Ouchichiq” that the Ojibway applied to both Rainy Lake and Rainy River. Reverend J A Gifillan translated it to mean “Neighbor Lake and River”. The name was given to the falls of the Rainy River.
Surrounding County and Canada Courthouses:
N – Ontario, Canada
S – Itasca County
W – Beltrami County and Lake of the Woods County
Created: December 19, 1906
County Seat:
International Falls 1906 – present
County Courthouse – International Falls
Location: 715 4th Street / 7th Avenue
Built: 1909 – 1910
Style: Beaux Arts
Architect: Charles E Bell of Minneapolis
Contractor: O J Oyen of La Crosse, Wisconsin
Description: The building faces north and is a three story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of International Falls. The first story is rusticated limestone and the second and third stories are red brick with a stone belt course on each level. The central domed cupola has four sides with a gold colored dome at the top. On the north of the building, three pavilions rise two stories, flanked by pilasters with Doric capitals supporting a segmental arched pediment. The roof is hipped. In the interior, simple stenciling marks the plaster walls and brass fixtures are installed at the stairway. The central skylight window in the dome has been sealed. The Historic County Courtroom on the southwest side and offices are located on the third floor. A circular mezzanine in the center of that floor complements the muraled dome above. The murals recognize the county’s heritage with the Itaska, a stern-wheel steamer, a logging sleigh, the falls before the dam was built, and the first white settler, Alexander Baker On the east side of the second story is the County District Court courtroom located at the center of the east wing. The building houses the County District Court of the 9th Judicial District. The architect was Charles E Bell of Minneapolis and the contractor was O J Oyen of La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 1975 to 1976, a two story addition was added on the east side. In 1979 the west wing was added. The architect was John Ivey Thomas / Thomas A Vecchi, Inc. of Duluth and the contractor was Nasvik Construction Company Inc.
Note: E Sonderberg of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, painted the murals at a cost of $2,500.
See: The architect Charles E Bell of Minneapolis, Minnesota designed many courthouses.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Koochiching County Courthouse
See: The 9th Judicial District includes Aitkin County, Beltrami County, Cass County, Clearwater County, Crow Wing County, Hubbard County, Itasca County, Kittson County, Lake of the Woods County, Mahnomen County, Marshall County, Norman County, Pennington County, Polk County, Red Lake County and Roseau County.
History: The county was created in 1906 and International Falls was selected as the county seat. The first court met in the town hall at 212 Fourth Street in International Falls from 1906 to 1910. The first and present courthouse was constructed in 1909 to 1910 at a cost of $41,700. The cost of the 1975 to 1976 addition was $700,000.
County Courthouse – International Falls
Historic County District Courtroom
County District Court courtroom
Photos taken 2007, 2011 and 2022
Images 30*