Demolition of 1891-era Redwood County Courthouse began Monday

Demolition of the old,1891-era Redwood County Courthouse began Monday, Aug. 22. The 1960s-era addition was the first to go, with a crew from Schmidt Construction having most of the addition down by Monday evening.
The first Redwood County Courthouse was built of wood in 1873. For what it’s worth, that 1873 version was the courthouse Pa Ingalls went to on June 26, 1874 to officially declare a Declaration of Intent for 172 acres of land on the banks of Plum Creek.
Studies in recent years have determined the 1891 building is basically totaled — it would cost more to get it up to current code than the structure itself is worth. Because of modifications over the decades — especially a large addition in the mid-1960s — the courthouse is no longer eligible for official historic status, with all the remodeling grants that would be available for it.
Much of the county staff that worked in the courthouse has been moved to the Redwood County Government Center on S. Mill Street, or to the annex across the street to the east of the current courthouse.
The public will not have access to the new courhouse facility until probably sometime mid-September, due to installation of the sidewalks and for handicap accessibility. When demolition of the old courthouse is complete, parking lot preparation has to occur before any public entrance points are constructed and open to the public.