The Architecture of

The Old Bloomington Courthouse

and The Parthenon

Sophia Sutter 8B

History of The Old Bloomington Courthouse

The 3rd courthouse was built in 1868 by the architect Cochrane and the French designer Piquenard. On June 19,1900, there was a great fire of Bloomington most of the buildings went down in flames but the courthouse was only partially damaged.

On June 20,1900 the County appointed a special committee to rebuild the Courthouse. Reeves and Baile were appointed to the special committee and also built the current

Bloomington High School in 1895. Reeves and Baile rebuilt the courthouse by replacing most of the building but also fixing it up. They finished the 4th courthouse in 1903 and

is still remaining today.

History of The ParthenonThe Parthenon was built in 448 B.C. by the architects Iktinos and Callicrates. They

were the two main architects of the Athenian Acropolis. There also was the designer Pericles who was the leader of all the buildings on the Acropolis.

When the Athenians were still building the Parthenon the Persians burned the temple. Sadly only half of the temple still stands even after the Persians and all of

this time sitting on the Athenian Acropolis after 2461 years.

Similarities

Both have columnsLeft is the Right is Corinthian the Doric Columns. Columns.

Handcrafted by their own city workers and

stone makers. The stone was made by

hand and every detail.

Both have pediments above columns. A

pediment is the stone artwork and figures carved in the stone.

……………………..

Similarities

Both buildings are a large part of their cities history. The courthouse was a main piece of the judicial system and it is

now a museum to remind us of

Bloomington’s history. The Parthenon still draws thousands of tourists each year to celebrate it’s place in

Greek culture.

Classical design

The courthouse was the center of democracy and the judiciary system while

the Greeks used the Parthenon as a center of religion making both of

these buildings very important to their people

and cities.

The third courthouse had a fire in 1868 and the

fourth courthouse was rebuilt as part of it while

the Persians attempted to burn down the Parthenon.

Represents power and democracy because a courthouse is used “by the people” and that defines democracy.

Also democracy was invented and used in ancient Greek society.

Differences

The courthouse was built in 1903 A.D. by Reeves and

Baile in Bloomington, Illinois in the United Stated of America making it only

110 years old. The Parthenon was built in 448 B.C. in Athens, Greece by

Iktinos and Callicrates making it 2461 years old.

The courthouse uses Neo-Classical architecture that was popular circa 1750 A.D. -1850

A.D. with Corinthian Order Columns. It uses acanthus leaves

to decorate the capital of the column.

Differences

The Parthenon uses Greek architecture that was used circa 1500 B.C. – 350 B.C. with Doric Order Columns. These columns are made up of 2 basic pieces. It is the oldest of the three types of

Order Columns.

DifferencesThe Parthenon just

represented democracy. It did not practice

democracy. The main purpose was to practice

religion. While the Courthouse actually

practiced the working democratic system. The courthouse

stood for Justice and all

she represented

while the Parthenon honored Athena,

goddess of war and wisdom.

SummaryThis has shown the differences and similarities of 2 buildings that have

nothing to do with each other, were built on two different continents, were built in two different millennia, and two different cultures. One building that was built in 448 B.C. and is so similar to a building that was built in

1903. Both buildings are still standing today after getting partially burned to the ground and still be standing in 2013. This knowledge can lead to

building new buildings with the same influence. These influences help to keep history alive. Here I have shown the people how exciting architecture is and the history of these two very interesting and beautiful building can be sustained after all these years siting in the center of these two amazing

and historic cities.

Sources• “The Old Mclean County Courthouse” by Greg Koos

• Bloomington Courthouse Museum: archivist, George• Wikipedia • Google images.

The Old

Blooming

ton

Courthou

se

By: Greg

Koos