The Washburn Leader Friday, June 9, 1905, Page 1

The McLean County Court House Was Entirely Destroyed By Fire Early Thursday Morning. The Origin of the Fire is a Mystery.
The Building Is in Ruins, and It Will Not Be Known for Several Days the Condition of the Records. The Vaults Are Intact and Contents Apparently Safe.

Fire destroyed the McLean County Court House early on the morning of Thursday, June 8, the building being entirely consumed.

The first alarm was given about half past three, and the Fire Department and citizens were soon on the scene of the conflagration. When the citizens arrived, it was seen that the building was doomed, and efforts were turned toward saving the surrounding buildings.

Klein’s Land Agency building, just west of the burned building, had a narrow escape, and it was here that the chemical engine afforded valuable assistance. For a while, it seemed as if nothing could save that building and also the German Store. The City Meat Market on the east was scorched, and hard work saved that building.

Hard work on the part of our citizens saved the greater portion of the town, as a strong wind was blowing from the southeast, which scattered the sparks over the surrounding buildings. The heavy rains the first of the week went a long way toward saving the town from a terrible conflagration.

The origin of the fire is not known, but when discovered the flames were issuing from the second story. Efforts were made to save some contents of the building, but it was impossible to do so. The vaults are intact and contents apparently safe. The burned building was erected in 1884. A number of personal losses were reported, Clerk of Court Schmidt losing a set of abstract books.

The Washburn Leader, Friday, June 16, 1905 page 4

WILL REBUILD COURTHOUSE AT ONCE.

The vaults and safes containing the official records of McLean Co. have been opened and the contents found to be in excellent condition. The fire that consumed the superstructure of the old courthouse building damaged the records but little. The old courthouse was erected in 1883, about twenty-two years ago, at a cost of $3000. At the time of the fire, the insurance on thee building was $1,900 and on the fixtures and records about $1600 additional. It will be seen that the building has been insured right along for about two-thirds of its cost which, considering its age, may be considered fairly good insurance. 

 The County Commissioners have wisely decided to rebuild the courthouse at once. A plain, substantial building will be erected—as good a building as can be constructed with the insurance money. It is believed the tax-payers will applaud this action on the part of the County Board. No attempt will be made by the Board to exceed its authority or obligate the county beyond the immediate resources. 

 The fact that all the records of the county were in their proper place in the fire-proof vaults, and that the injury to them is insignificant, redounds to the credit of the county officials, and the county is to be congratulated that all the valuable records covering a quarter of a century’s development are intact and safe. 

 The new building, together with additional vault room will answer the purposes of the county until the sovereign will of the people can be ascertained as the kind of a county building a great empire like McLean County deserves and is justified in having without burdening the tax-payers unnecessarily.

 **1905 - The McLean Courthouse built after the fire. 

The Washburn Leader Friday, December 14, 1917 

 McLEAN COUNTY’S FINE NEW COURT HOUSE. 

 The new court house of McLean county has been completed, in every detail, and the unanimous verdict of those who have visited the building, it is a credit not only to the county but to the whole of North Dakota. 

 Aside from the several excellent features of the structure, which are worthy of commendation, is the fact that it has been turned over to the county with a cent of indebtedness acquired, none of the taxpayers in the county who always have been prompt in paying their taxes, have had to contribute anything to it; all obligations have been met by the which has been accumulating year after year in the tax penalty fund. 

 Only one other county in the state has been to erect any buildings in such a manner, so that McLean county is to be congratulated on a splendid financial achievement. In that the people of this county should give thanks that there has not been the slightest suspicion of graft or width of scandal in connection with the putting up of county buildings to the total of $100,000. 

 George Hancock, the architect was commissioned by the board of county commissioners to draw up the plans for the new building and supervise its construction, made final inspection last week and he replied to the board, at its meeting on Monday, that the work had been done according to specifications and has unqualified approval in every aspect. He praised the manner in which everyone connected with the construction of the building had carried his part. He had no hesitation relaying that the structure, for the amount of expenditures, was the best of its kind in the state of North Dakota. 

 Andrew Person of Bismarck, the contractor, was highly praised for his part in the enterprise. He had a great deal to contend with on account of the delay in the delivery of material. He ordered it in due time in the spring but he had to wait six weeks for some of it, due to the handicap factories are working under on account of the war. But in spit of this fact, Mr Person nearly completed the work with scheduled time. If it were not for the delay in delivery of material, it is certain that the contractor would have been able to put on the finishing touches ahead of the contract time. 

 Mr. Person has an enviable reputation for business integrity. He has erected some important buildings in Bismarck, all of which have proved satisfactory, so that McLean county was fortunate in having him put the new building. 

 The plumbing and heating work was done in excellent shape by Grambs & Peet Company, contractors of Bismarck, and they came in for a word of commendation by the architect. The furniture and other equipment have not arrived but when it does each office will be in a position to carry on its work most effectively for the county. 

 The land on which the new courthouse is located was donated to the county by the Washburn Townsite Company of which John Satterlund was president and Aug. E. Johnson secretary and treasurer. 

 In the general plan of the building, combining all modern requirements without any extravagances, from and architectural standpoint and the scheme of decoration, both mural and woodwork, the new courthouse represents the latest and the best in good taste and practicability. 

 The county commissioners, O. B. Wing, Louis Berquist and Henry Martin, have come in for a great deal of praise for the admirable way in which they have handled the entire undertaking. They, together with the county auditor, E. C. Stocker, deserved unstinted commendation for such financing that made it possible to complete the building without loading it down win one cent of indebtedness.

**More Research:** The McLean Courthouse that burned in the fire of 1905 was rebuilt -- and that replacement courthouse of 1905 was replaced with a larger brick and stone courthouse in 1917. The 1917 courthouse served the county until 2014, when it was demolished after a lengthy battle with the community. 

It should be noted, however, that the courthouse built after the fire in 1905 was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 as part of a thematic nomination. 

During the ensuing years, the 1905 courthouse building was used as one of the buildings of the McLean County Historical Society Museums. The following is a photo from 2007 which indicates the Museum inhabitance.

McLean Co. Historical Society Museums 

McLean Courthouse History Off-site LINK

Many Photos included of the Newest & Current McLean County Courthouse Complex on the above History link.