The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-07-25
Utility and Beauty Combined
In NeW Burleigh Courthouse
Building Will House Various
County Departments for
Many Years to Come

destgn and detail, Burleigh county's
hew courthouse to be dedicated here
81 exercises July IS, was designed to
ndequately house the various county
departments for many years to come,
according to the architects, county
commissioners and the builders who
have been responsible for the details
Ut construction.
Built at a cost Of approximately
e245 900, the court house and COM
btned jail and sheriff's residence are
Of the most modern construction and
contain equipment Of the newest de-
sign.
Situated on q slight eminence
graded up from the street, the build
ings are located on the site of the
old court house, bounded by Fifth
and Sixth Streets and Thayer and
Rosser Avenue.
Styltstically modern in design, the
ecurt house has an exterior of In
diana limestone set on q base Of pearl
pink granite. It has q total floor
area Of $4,000 square feet and Is one
Of the first buildings of its type to
be built in North Dakota.
Entrance. is made into the building
from q tile terrace on the southern
front through massive bronze doors
otnamented with bronze grilles. They
lead into q vestibule which is lined
with marble to a height Of sever feet,
above which are mural paintings de-
plotting scenes in the early history OF
the county. The muralS are the work
Of Clell Cannon, local artist. He has
picturized a street scene in Bismarck
wien 1t was a small frontier town,
rs we'll as the dedication Of the ter
ritorial capitol, Missouri river boat
landings, Sibley'S troops, and a num-
Der of other events of historical In
terest. Set in colors in the terrazzo
floor in the veStibule Is the Burleigh
county seal, also designed by Cannon.
Vermont Stone Used
A second set of bronze doors leads
into the main lobby on the main floor
whose walls also are lined with mar
BILE. The stone is known as Vermont
Cippolino marble and is white with
green markings. It has a French
grey marble cap and base.
Above the wainScoting the walls
are covered with canvas on which
pictures of bird and animal life in
North Dakota have been painted.
The lobby ceilings have been stem
ciled with ornamental mOderniStlc
designs in color.
Opening off the main lobby are
the offices of the county judge, the
sheriff, the county superintendent of
schools and the county engineer. In
addition there are large storage
vaults for the use of the treasurer
and the auditor which are reached
only by circular s~taircases from the
floor above.
The main staircase is on the north
wall of the building and Is circular
in effect. Stair walls are wainscoted
In marble and the stair rails are OF
nickel silver. handsomely wrought
Into an effective design.
The second floor lobby is similar
10 that on the main floor. OH the
lobby to the southeast Is the audi
tors office, composed of a large pub
lie office, a private office, and a large
working vault. In the northeast
corner of the second floor are the
county commissioner rooms. Paneled
oak wainscot has been utilized here
and on the walls are muralS repre-
senting q panorama of the North Da-
kota country side. Next to this room
is q small private office for the use
of the commissioners.
On the west side Of the lobby are
the register of deeds and the county
~treasurer's offices, each having spa
cious public offices and large work.
ing vaults.
Court on Third Floor
The court room Is situated on the
third floor. The largest room In the
building, it is SO feet wide and II
feet long. 1t is finished with orna-
mental plaster beams of modernistlc
design, fluted Botticino marble pilast-
ers and door trim, and Is w~ainscoted
with walnut inlaid and ebony. The
court room furniture also Is OF inlaid
walnut. On the west wall OF the
courtroom over the Judges bench IS
q large mural 'symbolizing justice
surrounded by the principals at q
trial.
Just off the courtroom are the
Judges chamber and the offices OF
the clerk of court, which also are
connected to the main corridor.
The judges chamber Is a large
room "a feet wide and AZ feet long
and is designed 80 that it may be
used as q second courtroom when the
occasion arises. OFT this room and
connected by q private corridor Is the
Judges private office and the court
reporters office. The clerk Of court