Lake County - American Courthouses

Lake is derived from “Lake Superior” which borders the county.

Surrounding County and Canada Courthouses:

N – Ontario, Canada

E – Cook County and Lake Superior

S – Lake Superior and Bayfield County, Wisconsin

W – Saint Louis County

Created: March 1, 1856

County Seat:

Beaver Bay 1855 – 1884

Two Harbors 1884 – present

County Courthouse – Two Harbors

Location: 601 Third Avenue / 6th Street

Built: 1905 – 1906

Style: Beaux Arts

Architect: James Allen Macleod

Contractor: Pastoret & Lunz

Description: The building faces east and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Two Harbors. The building is square shaped with limestone foundation and brick and stone. The low, semi-circular dome has a metallic, fish-scale pattern. The building has brick quoins, stone window surrounds, and a projecting cornice with modillions placed above a wide frieze. A decorative parapet with a bank of concentric squares that simulates a Greek fret is still evident above the cornice. There are two pairs of two story columns on the south front. In the interior is the mural “Law and Justice” by Axel Edward Soderberg and another painting by Odin J Oyen of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The dome was enclosed in 1945. A staircase ascends from the entrance to the second story where there is a stain glass window and ornate ceiling. The County District Court courtroom is located at the center of the second story. The building houses the County District Court of the 6th Judicial District. On the west side is the new buff colored brick and concrete addition.

Note: A mural “Angel of Justice” once decorated the inside of the dome. The 10 by 15 foot canvas mural was removed in 1945 and placed in the main corridor in 1976.

See: National Register of Historic Places – Lake County Courthouse

See: The 6th Judicial District includes Carlton County, Cook County and Saint Louis County.

History: The county was created in 1855 and Beaver Bay was designated as the county seat. The county seat was moved to Two Harbors in 1884. The first courthouse was a wood structure built in 1887. The courthouse burned in 1904. The second courthouse was constructed in 1905 to 1906 at a cost of $80,000.

Note: The lowest point in Minnesota is Lake Superior at 602 feet ( 183 meters ) which is located in the county