[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  APPLAUDING THE MACOUPIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE'S INCLUSION AS ONE OF THE 
                    ``150 GREAT PLACES IN ILLINOIS''

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                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2010

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today with great pride to applaud the 
Macoupin County Courthouse and its inclusion as one of the ``150 Great 
Places In Illinois'' as determined by the American Institute of 
Architects as part of its 150th anniversary celebration. This 
remarkable courthouse in the City of Carlinville has long had great 
historical significance. It was built to replace the courthouse where a 
persuasive attorney named Abraham Lincoln once practiced law, and since 
its completion it has stood as a central part of the county and local 
community.
  Completed in 1870, the courthouse was designed by Elijah E. Myers, 
who later designed numerous state capitols. This extraordinary building 
resembles the Corinthian order with its impressive portico on the north 
side and south elevation. The large dome, classical detailing and use 
of native limestone all add to the building's splendor. At the time of 
its completion, this courthouse was among the largest county 
courthouses in the United States, rivaled in size only by the one in 
New York City. Within Illinois it became an impressive symbol of 
grandeur, as it even outsized the Illinois Statehouse in the 
Springfield Capital.
  Along with its aesthetic appeal, the building also garnered praise 
for being technologically advanced. The Macoupin County Courthouse was 
designed and constructed to be nearly fireproof--a characteristic not 
at all common among structures of the day. Stone, brick and metal were 
used almost exclusively, with wood used only sparingly. The painted 
sheet metal was magnificently detailed, and some of the major doors 
were constructed from cast iron. The ornate design, materials and 
construction resulted in a cost of over $1.3 million dollars once 
completed, roughly $19 million by today's standards.
  The Macoupin County Courthouse still serves as the seat of the county 
government 143 years later, which demonstrates the enduring impact and 
quality of the structure. With its inclusion as one of the ``150 Great 
Places In Illinois,'' the Macoupin County Courthouse joins other 
significant landmarks such as the State Capital and the homes designed 
by Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park. I applaud the American Institute of 
Architects for including the Macoupin County Courthouse and recognize 
that it will continue to be a proud symbol of Illinois achievement and 
magnificence for generations to come. I thank the Speaker for allowing 
me to share this moment of joy stemming from the 17th Congressional 
District of Illinois.

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