Filed Under Great Falls

Cascade County Courthouse

Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District

Spirited revelry in the streets of Great Falls greeted news of the creation of Cascade County in 1887. Named county seat, Great Falls grew quickly, with county offices located in various downtown buildings. In 1891, voters approved the visionary $20,000 purchase of an entire city block for the site of a future courthouse. Lack of funds and taxable population delayed construction until 1901. Architects H. N. Black and Frank Longstaff called their courthouse design "pure French Renaissance with slight modifications." Constructed of grey sandstone quarried nearby, the courthouse was dedicated on July 4, 1903. Its interior detailing reflects the skill of the union craftsmen who fashioned it, while its beautifully landscaped grounds are a silent tribute to Great Falls city founder Paris Gibson, a tireless advocate for trees and parkland. The architects' plan called for a dome made primarily from stone; instead, it is constructed entirely of copper. Topped by the Statue of Justice, the dome was used during World War II by lookouts guarding against possible Japanese air attacks. Today the courthouse continues to serve Cascade County citizens.

Images

Cascade County Courthouse
Cascade County Courthouse Cascade County Courthouse 2nd Ave N. Great Falls, MT (verso) b&w print Source: Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana Creator: Unidentified photographer Date: [no date]
Cascade County Courthouse
Cascade County Courthouse Cascade County Courthouse (PAc 91-51 Great Falls R16 F29). Front to side view of the building, facing northwest near the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 5th Street North. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Photographer unidentified Date: 1983
Cascade County Courthouse
Cascade County Courthouse Cascade County Courthouse (PAc 91-51 Great Falls R17 F28). Front to side view of the building, facing northeast near the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 4th Street North. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Photographer unidentified Date: 1983
415 2nd Ave N
415 2nd Ave N 1. 415 2nd Ave N 2. Great falls, MT 3/4 Kittredge 3/90 5. Helena, MT 6. Facing north #6 Roll 3/10 (verso) b&w print Source: Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana Creator: Kittredge Date: March 1990
Cascade County Courthouse
Cascade County Courthouse Cascade County Courthouse. Front view of the building, facing northeast near the entry of the structure off of 2nd Avenue North. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong Date: June-Aug. 2019
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT Cascade County Courthouse. Front view of the building, facing north near the sidewalk adjacent to 2nd Avenue North leading to the entry of the courthouse structure. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong Date: June-Aug. 2019
Cascade County Courthouse
Cascade County Courthouse Cascade County Courthouse. Side view of the building, facing west to southwest near the side entry off of 5th Street North. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong Date: June-Aug. 2019
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT Interior view of lobby area. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: June 2019
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT Interior view of second floor landing tile and staircase balustrade. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: June 2019
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT Interior view of courtroom. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: June 2019
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT
Cascade County Courthouse, Great Falls, MT Interior view of stair landing and tile Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: June 2019

Location

415 2nd Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana | Public

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “Cascade County Courthouse,” Historic Montana, accessed March 28, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/195.