Government, Local News
The secret past of the Cedar Rapids federal courthouse
Posted on Nov 06, 2009 by Admin.
The holding cells on the third floor of the former Federal Courthouse at the corner of First Street and Second Ave in downtown Cedar Rapids. The building, which was constructed as part of the WPA in the 1930s, was severely damaged by flooding in June of 2008. Shot on Friday, November 6, 2009. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The city of Cedar Rapids is set to inherit the old Federal Courthouse in downtown sometime in the future. Along with the building comes a dark piece of history.
Because of the flood, we are finally able to see the controversy. Federal Court rules prohibit cameras in the building. But, because the building flooded, the Federal Court system moved out of the building that it had been in since 1933.
But, when the building was built, its main use was as a Post Office. Although the building had some court uses as well, it’s just the court system was much smaller at that time, according to Cedar Rapids Historian Mark Hunter.
“The Federal Government had an art program where they would do murals in post office buildings, including this building,” said Hunter.
The artwork was part of the Works Progress Administration, which was part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. Within that measure was the Treasury Relief Art Project. The intent was to give local artists work in the down economy. Hunter said that same program also made art for federal buildings, and since this was both a Post Office and a courthouse, it got a lot of art.
According to When Tillage Begins: The Stone City Art Colony and School, Published by the Busse Library at Mount Mercy College, the mural was titled “Law and Culture.” The study from Mount Mercy College goes on to say, “The mural’s vivid scenes of chaos and order on the open plains caused numerous complaints. The installation was later destroyed under court orders.” Everett Jeffery was one of the main painters.
Among the artwork was the depiction of a lynching, located in the main courtroom. You can’t see the murals anymore, Judge McManus had it painted over in the 1960’s. However the paint used is designed to come off the wall and not damage the murals underneath. And since the flood, workers have removed a small section of the paint to reveal the artwork.
“They were trying to tell a historic story, but even at that time there was a sense of offense going on because of what people were comfortable with in the 1930’s,” said Hunter.
Workers at the courthouse say the judge had it painted because the jury would sit on one side of the courtroom, and right across the courtroom was a painting of a lynching.
Soon the city of Cedar Rapids will inherit the building. The city bought the land where the new courthouse is being built and traded that land for the old courthouse building.
The city will soon own the building, but the artwork might not go away. Because of its historical value, the courtroom itself cannot be removed; however the rest of the building is up for grabs.
Hunter said it’s interesting to note that when the old Federal Courthouse was built, Cedar Rapids had just suffered a major flood within the last few years, and the economy had fallen with the Great Depression.
Just this year the Federal Government broke ground on a new Federal Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Its completion date is scheduled for 2012, according the U.S. General Services Administration. And it goes without saying about the flood and the economic connections.
Justin Foss, KCRG-TV
96Bravo
07. Nov, 2009
There is nothing wrong with this building, the federal gov't put $ 13 million back into this building including renovations and mechanical upgrades knowing they would hand it over to the city. The city has delayed accepting this building for months while driving an agenda to build a new $ 50 million (or more) city hall, while at the same time shelling out tens of thousands of dollars per month to AEGON to lease one of their empty boxes. The court room can easily serve as council chambers – that is exactly what Dubuque did when they took possession of their old fed courthouse. Then put the city employees into those offices – boy do I have a couple of ideas who should have their office in those holding cells.
gardbr
08. Nov, 2009
although i am not familiar with the 'Scene of Despicable Act,' are you suggesting one individual for the character representation within that mural? or could you encourage a joint effort for the combinations of a 'couple of ideas' within the depiction?
96Bravo
08. Nov, 2009
It's a rare, but true fact, Dante's intent was for an extra, eighth level of the nether regions in his work "THE INFERNO". That final, deepest pit of Hades – was a government burearcracy
Joeblowcr1
07. Nov, 2009
waste of dollars federal and state courthouses should be combined
WWJD1
07. Nov, 2009
The Art work should be uncovered, protected and enjoyed for it's Historical Value, The Lynching Scene should have never been allowed to be painted in that area if if would prejudice a jury; where was the foresight?
chaimfinestein
07. Nov, 2009
why not? isn't lynching a part of the early American "legal system"?
Iowarch
07. Nov, 2009
The reason for the hubbub over this mural has to do with the ownership of the mural itself. When the WPA had these murals done they used federal property to do them in or on. Once the murals were completed the murals themselves became a part of the inventory of property owned by the federal government. It appears inspite of what happens to the buildings, the Federal Government retains ownership of the art work. So you can not destroy the murals without the federal government going along with it, which they won't.
UstaBe
08. Nov, 2009
The 1930's murals should be preserved, however distasteful a scene they depict. However, I would think its up to the Federal Government to have them safely removed as opposed to saying "you can't do anything to that room." Before the Post Office moved out, I can remember walking the halls of that building with absolutely no security. But when the courts took over, there were limits on what doors you could go in and out, what could be carried in or left at lockers … and finally, as best I recall, no more lockers, just confiscation for anything not considered "safe and proper" in Federal courts. Did the WPA pay for any other murals? I seem to remember some at the Montrose Hotel that were probably more valuable than any in the Federal Building.
athometoday
08. Nov, 2009
what a beautiful building, I hope things like drop ceilings can be removed and the wonderful architecture (including artwork) can be restored.
lobosolo
09. Nov, 2009
this should be the new city hall. photo 19 is a perfect place to hold the Wednesday night council meetings. if a new city hall is built it should be with a caveat that no politicians be allowed to put their name on it. if we used that rule, I'm sure they would already be in this building.