Old Courthouse: What will we be saving?

Should the courthouse be demolished? Saved? I have previously opined that if it is to be demolished, the decision should be made by the elected county board, and not by a commission created for “the sole purpose” of providing “a good and sufficient jail.”

That being said, I see no sufficient reason to save it. The main argument is that it is an historical building worthy of preservation. In the autumn of 1966, I came to Rock Island to work as an assistant to the then-state’s attorney Richard Stengel.


At that time, the exterior walls of the courthouse were substantially in their original condition. But the six domes had all been removed, including the magnificent great central dome (replaced with the ugly metal box we still see today.)

If the exterior walls are worth preserving, the box, utterly devoid of beauty and historical value, isn’t. The interior of the courthouse, bears scant resemblance to the original, with the exception of the rotunda and hallways.

By the time I arrived in 1966, the original circuit court courtroom, a rather prosaic two story-high rectangular courtroom, was gone. A ceiling had been installed to provide additional fourth floor space for the state’s attorney’s office, as well as for a new law library.

In lieu of the original courtroom, a new courtroom, a new hearing room and three new judges’ chambers had been constructed. Nothing of the original remains.

When I arrived, the old county court courtroom was still extant at the north end of the second floor. It was an utterly unimpressive, dreary courtroom. The oak bench and bar were commonplace.

The original county courtroom was entirely replaced years ago by a new courtroom. Nothing of the original remains. The original probate court courtroom occupied the southeast corner of the first floor. It was an even drabber, uninspiring room with a plain oak bench.

Across the hall, at the southwest end of the first floor, there was a large chamber for the probate judge. Only the barrister bookcases made the room interesting. Nothing of the original remains.

The fourth floor has been altered over the years to the point that nothing remains of the original fourth floor. Three North has also been altered beyond recognition. The north end of the second floor bears no similarity to the original. Nor does first floor north.

Only two courthouse offices bear minimal originality: the small sheriff’s office on the first floor near the front door, and perhaps the office of the Recorder of Deeds.

The Circuit Clerk’s offices have been chopped, re-chopped, and re-re-chopped so many times, as to be unrecognizable. The county clerk’s and treasurer’s offices are now across the street.

If the building were gutted to remove all temporary walls and ceilings, I suspect the empty rooms would look much like the original unfurnished rooms. But the original courtrooms, etc., would still be gone.


And what would the cost be just to get down to the original bare walls? How many millions of dollars would it cost to restore the original courtrooms and offices? Is there asbestos? Would it not have to be professionally removed? Could the building be used for any new use without asbestos removal?

What of the open rotunda? If the building were to be renovated, would codes allow it to remain as an open five-story chimney? What would it cost to close off the rotunda to comply with codes? Wouldn’t that obliterate more of the original?

When I became a judge in 1974, the thermostats were already “decorative.” The heating system was ancient. Would that be upgraded? Or would there be an attempt to replicate the original? At what cost?

Don’t get me wrong. With the expenditure of $22 million (as per Judge Walter Braud’s estimate), I could see the building being restored to its original condition. But would that cover replacing the six domes?

I’m sure uses could be found for it. But beginning in 1948, Rock Island County taxpayers began rejecting referenda to restore/repair the courthouse. Does anyone really think they will approve a referendum to restore it now?

Can the preservationists come up with $20 million? If it is not demolished, is it just going to be allowed to sit and deteriorate?

Posted: QCOline.com May 3, 2018
Copyright 2018, John Donald O'Shea