Name/Title
Duval County Criminal Court BuildingEntry/Object ID
2016.019.085Description
Duval County Criminal Court Building
Corner of Liberty and Beaver Streets
Architect: HJ Klutho
Designed in 1913, after receiving the Duval County commissioners commission, this fine Prairie School building gave Klutho the opportunity to design an important governmental building with a new modern flare. Practically all the government buildings in United States were of traditional design. This building broke this trend in the South, and possibly in the nation.
The jail and ward buildings occupied the north portion of Liberty, Beaver and Washington streets and the Criminal Court would be connected to the jail by an enclosed bridge (thus eliminating the problem of having to march prisoners through the streets).
The final price of the Court Building was $189,200. The Court fronted on Liberty Street and the only access to the jail was through a wrought-iron double gate that recalled the geometric designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The court room had a ceiling of over 30feet high and was decorated in plaster ornament. The room was full of light from two vast glass walls, 14 by 70 feet, on the east and west sides. The glass walls opened so that the crowded courtroom could be cross-ventilated.
The two-story structure rested on limestone deep-set in masonry and expressive bands of cream-colored terra cotta geometric designs around each opening. The pediment was filled with interlocking terra cotta octagon, adjusted to fit within the triangle that evoked the slowly turning wheels of justice, juxtaposed with the inscription of the word "Justice" above the front entrance.
Worked ceased on the Criminal Court Building in 1914, after J.E.T. Bowden brought suit against the county commissioners, contractor and the architects. The allegations were 1) the labor contract was not competitive and 2) the financing of the project was unlawful.
The contract was rebid and in early 1916, Klutho's structure was finally completed.
The building was demolished by the City of Jacksonville in 1968.Collection
Woodward Photo CollectionMade/Created
Studio
The Woodward Studio, Inc.Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Photograph, Black-and-WhiteNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects