The Owyhee County Courthouse in Murphy, Idaho, is a 1-story Art Deco building designed by Tourtellotte & Hummel and constructed in 1936. The brick building features a prominent entry with fluted pilasters on either side of a square arch, with foliated sunburst panels that frame an entablature of floral, triangular, and wavelet designs. A panel above the entry reads, "Owyhee County Courthouse." The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[2]
History
Owyhee County was organized in Idaho Territory in 1863, and the county seat was first at Ruby City (1863-1867), then at Silver City (1867-1934), and in 1934 voters moved the county seat to Murphy.[3] The Idaho State Legislature ratified the move in 1999, officially changing the Idaho Code to reflect the relocation from Silver City to Murphy.[4]
In 1936 the county built a new courthouse on what was then a section of State Highway 45, now State Highway 78, at Murphy.[5] A dancehall had been the temporary courthouse, and it burned in 1939.[6]
The Owyhee County Courthouse was renovated and expanded in 1973, with 1-story brick additions at either end of the original structure.[7]
The only parking meter in Owyhee County was installed at the courthouse in the early 1950s.[8][9]
^Walt Schramm (January 24, 1960). "Town of Murphy, Owyhee County Seat, Rates High as One of Most Unusual in Country". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 26.
^Tim Woodward (January 25, 1999). "65 Years in Wrong Town". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho.
^"Court to Meet in New Building". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. May 14, 1936. p. 20.
^"It wasn't very much of a fire...". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. April 30, 1939. p. 6.
^"Local Art Works May Adorn Revamped Owyhee Courthouse". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. February 9, 1974. p. 14.
^"Jet". Johnson Publishing Co. August 21, 1980. p. 19. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
^"Penny Kills Lone Meter in Owyhee". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. September 9, 1966. p. 19.