The Barnstable County Courthouse is sited on a hill overlooking Barnstable Village and harbor and Cape Cod bay beyond. It is surrounded by approximately 4 acre of landscaped building reflects its public institutional function and its primary role in the develop- ment of Barnstable County. The original structure was rectangular in plan and rose two stories to a pitched roof. It is constructed of coursed rough faced Quincy granite with corner quoins of lighter gray granite. Fenestration throughout the building is regular and consists of 8/8 double hung sash at the first story and 12/12 double hung sash at the second story. The roof, originally covered with slate, is now asphalt shingle. Atop its front pitch is an eight colum cupola with a copper cap set on a three tier base. The most imposing feature of the courthouse is its correctly detailed Greek Doric por- tico.
Four fluted colums support an entablature whose architrave bears the words "Barnstable County Court House" and whose frieze is detailed with triglyphs and metopes. A triangular pediment with raking cornice and mutules completes the composition. Al- though the portico appears to be constructed of granite it is actually fashioned of The only feature of the facade, behind the portico, is a generously scaled entry which appears to be a colonial revival addition. It consists of two eight paneled doors su rmounted by first a glazed transom and then a solid transom. These elements are enframed by simple pilasters and a cornice which is supported on consoles. entry is approached by three granite steps upon which the colums of the portico rest. Additions to the building have included the following: In 1897, a 24' by 26' south central wing was added.
The architect was Samuel D.Kelley, the Bay State Brick Co. did much of the work. The interior floors and ceilings are of North River flagstone. All the rooms within the original courthouse and additions are fireproof with 400 pound metal doors dividing them. These doors are molded and studded with rosettes and fine hinges. All of the lumber used is spruce with the trusses of hard pine. A cellar was also included in this addition. As with all oi the additions, Quincy granite, when available, was used in maintaining the texture and historical integ- rity of the outside facade. In 1893, the area for the Registry of Deeds was determined to be too small an area. J. Williams Beal of Boston designed a one story, 40 square foot east wing. Portland cement and Quincy grantite were again used. In 1906, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts architect, Guy Lowell, of Boston, designed an accompanying 40 sq.
foot two story west ell and a second story addition to the 1893 FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service ational Regi t r of Historic Places nventory - Nomination Form For HCRS use only received MAY 1 1 1981 date entered JUN | | 1981 Continuation sheet Item number 7 Page 1 east ell. The builders were Ernest L. Sampson of Plymouth, and Robert J. Ryder; the total cost was $35,000. The west addition included a Probate Court room, and office for the Registry of Probate, and on the second floor was a law library, 16' by 36', the County Treasurer's office and the office of the District Attorney; below was the basement. The east wing consisted of two jury rooms, 16' by 18', rooms for the judges of the Superior and Supreme courts, an office for the County Sheriff and additional smaller rooms.
This addition was also constructed with Quincy granite to conform with the rest of the structure's fabric. All slip window sills are also of granite with white pine double hung window frames. In 1925; a southwest ell, 16'by10' by 34'4" by 31'7" was added along with a southwest ell of 68'10" by 34'4" by 31'7" '. The general contractors were Somers and Drisko of Boston. All of these additions kept a well balanced appearance to the entire structure. In 1972, G.H. Swart, Inc. of Barnstable, completed renovations in the Superior Court room and put on a south central addition of 48' by 17' to fill in between the 1925 east and west wings, the architect was Gafney Associates, Incoc. At the rear of the building is a white central two colum portico with two inside and two outside pilasters, cornice and parapet, the center of which displays an elaborate gold, blue/gray and off white County symbol.
The steps leading up are sided bya handicap ramp. The court room was rehabilitated with sensitivity, saving as much as possible of the original fabric :and putting back into use objects that had long been stored in the basement. The traditional judge's bench, tables for the lawyers, and witness stand were all retained in their highly polished tine grained wood richness. And, a silver and tin codfish, symbol of the Commonwealth and Cape, hangs among four shinning chandeliers from the center of this spacious and elegant Federal style court room. long central barrel arched hallway of the 1832 building was extended and elaborated upon in the 1879 addition. The Court House is thüs a splendid example of continual use with a rich air of tradition and history that is both alive and preserved.
A separate Registry of Deeds and Probate Court were built behind the Court house in 1955 and a District Court (first) on the east end of the County grounds was built in 1971. However, most of the County offices and the Superior Court are still in the main building. 8. S'gn ficance Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 1900- Specific dates Areas of Significance - Check and justify below _ archeology-prehistoric community planning - archeology-historic conservation X agriculture economics _ architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention landscape architecture law literature .military - music - philosophy xpolitics/government - religion science sculpture .social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) 1831/32 Builder/Architect Jacob & Abner Taylor/ Alexander Parris Statement of
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