The site of the Iron County Courthouse was finally settled after a series of mischievous manipulation and political intrigue in 1888. Iron River had served as the temporary county seat after Iron County was severed from Marquette County in 1885, and the last meeting there was held on February 15, 1887. In April 1888, voting on the courthouse location produced 2,193 votes, with Crystal Falls receiving 1,142 and Iron River 1,051. A building committee formed in February 1890 reported that $30,000 would be needed, voters authorized bonds in April, bids were let in June, and contractor Louis A. Webber began work shortly after July 4th. The cornerstone was laid in September 1890, and by November the walls had reached the second story and part of the roof was on. In May 1891, 17 foot high statues of Law, Mercy, and Justice were placed on the front, while columns flanking the entrance were quarried from local stone and installed later. Interior work continued in 1891, including a pressed metal courtroom ceiling, ornate plaster wall designs, acanthus leafed Corinthian columns with winged dragons and muses above, a cast iron decorated chandelier support, the chandelier itself, graceful stairs with pointed newel posts, and carved floral door casings, features that made the building the Jewel of Iron County. The four faced tower clock was not installed until nearly twenty years later, was wound weekly by hand until the 1940s when it was electrified, and its striker's largest weight is a half ton; the bell can be heard over 4 miles away on a clear day. J.C. Clancy, a well known architect in the Mid-West, designed the Richardsonian Romanesque style courthouse, characterized by its high pitched roof, high windows, deeply arched doorways, clock tower, and decorative statuary. The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Feb. 24, 1975, was dedicated in 1977, and is also part of a National Historic District with nearly 50 contributing structures.