Mountrail County - American Courthouses

Mountrail County is named for Joseph Mountrail, a Metis voyageur of some prominence.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Burke County and Ward County

E – Ward County

S – McLean County and Dunn County

W – McKenzie County and Williams County

Created: January 29, 1909

County Seat:

Stanley 1910 – present

County Courthouse – Stanley

Location: 101 North Main Street / 1st Avenue Northwest

Built: 1914 – 1915

Style: Classical Revival and Beaux Arts

Architect: Buechner & Orth of St. Paul, Minnesota

Contractor: Carl Bartleson & Ness

Description: The building faces east and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds on the north side of the center of Stanley. The building has a raised basement. There is iron spot gray Hebron brick over iron spot brown colored Hebron brick. Kettle River stone trim includes base, sills and lintels, and caps of the brick pilasters which define the windows. The east front has a large portico supported by two large stone columns with the entrance recessed. Above the entrance are large glass windows. On the center of the roof is a white colored octagonal brick and wood tower which has three grilled apertures on each face, and is surmounted by a galvanized-iron dome with bull’s-eye windows at the cardinal points and a ball finial. In the interior, furnishings includes terrazzo floors, paneled doors with cornice headings, and a divided staircase with marble treads and ornamental iron balustrade. Within the rotunda, four wall standards in the form of brass torches supporting glass globes provide auxiliary light, supplemented by a chandelier suspended from the leaded art glass skylight. The second story County District Court courtrooms is located on the north side and features coffered ceilings with panels painted in iridescent green and gold colors with symbols representing Law, Wisdom, Justice and Mercy, and Interpretation of Law. Above a wainscoting of marbleized plaster are tiles attached to walls to improve acoustics. The original furnishings of the courtroom include wooden armchairs, jury box, lawyers railing, and a paneled judge’s station with carved pilasters that continue the classical theme of the building. The building houses the County District Court of the North Central Judicial District.

See: The architect Buechner & Orth of St. Paul, Minnesota designed many courthouses.

Note: The courthouse is modeled after the courthouse in Sargent County. The heating and plumbing was contracted to A E Champlin and Thomas Nasen of Fargo for $11,340.

See: National Register of Historic Places – Mountrail County Courthouse

County Justice Center – Stanley

Location: 101 North Main Street / 1st Avenue Northwest

Built: 2015 – 2017

Style: Modern

Architect: Klein McCarhy Architects

Contractor: Adolfson & Peterson Construction

Description: The building faces east and is a three story buff colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Stanley and adjoins the courthouse on the east side. On the east side is a large glass paneled section with entrance on the first story. The roof line is flat. In the interior is a spacious lobby extending up to the second story. On the third story is a spacious lounge area with the County District Court courtroom at the center of the west side. A corridor on the east side connects to the second story of the courthouse.

See: The Norrh Central Judicial District includes Burke County and Ward County.

History: The county was created in 1873 and was attached to Ward County. The county was recreated in 1909 and Stanley was selected as the county seat in 1910. The county rented office premises. The first and present courthouse was constructed in 1914 to 1915 at a cost of $49,660.