Buechner & Orth
Encyclopedia
Buechner & Orth was a St. Paul, Minnesota-based architectural firm that designed buildings in Minnesota and surrounding states, including 13 courthouses in North Dakota. It was the subject of a 1979 historic resources study.
Charles W. Buechner, the founding partner, was born in Germany in 1859. He emigrated to the United States in 1874 and worked for a time at the Northern Pacific Railway
as a surveyor and civil engineer, eventually becoming the Superintendent of Tracks, Buildings and Bridges. He left the Northern Pacific and studied architecture under noted Minnesota architect Clarence H. Johnston Sr.. In 1892, he founded the firm Buechner & Jacobson with partner John H. Jacobson. They designed at least three Minnesota courthouses in the popular Richardsonian Romanesque
style.
In 1902, John Jacobson died, so Buechner formed a new partnership with Henry W. Orth
, a recent Norwegian immigrant. They designed the Pierce County Courthouse
in the Neoclassical Revival style popularized by the World's Columbian Exposition
of 1893. In the next 25 years, they designed at least 19 other courthouses in this style.
Charles W. Buechner, the founding partner, was born in Germany in 1859. He emigrated to the United States in 1874 and worked for a time at the Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Pacific Railway
The Northern Pacific Railway was a railway that operated in the west along the Canadian border of the United States. Construction began in 1870 and the main line opened all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific when former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in...
as a surveyor and civil engineer, eventually becoming the Superintendent of Tracks, Buildings and Bridges. He left the Northern Pacific and studied architecture under noted Minnesota architect Clarence H. Johnston Sr.. In 1892, he founded the firm Buechner & Jacobson with partner John H. Jacobson. They designed at least three Minnesota courthouses in the popular Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
style.
In 1902, John Jacobson died, so Buechner formed a new partnership with Henry W. Orth
Henry Orth
-Background:Harold William Orth was born on a ship en route to the United States from Christiana , Norway, on April 14, 1866. His exact date of arrival to the United States is unknown. He was educated at a business college . He married Esther Susan Trigalet and settled in St. Paul,...
, a recent Norwegian immigrant. They designed the Pierce County Courthouse
Pierce County Courthouse (Wisconsin)
The Pierce County Courthouse is a historic governmental building in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, United States. Built in 1905, the courthouse sits on the edge of Ellsworth's business district. Built on a raised foundation of sandstone, it features elements of both the Beaux-Arts and the Neoclassical...
in the Neoclassical Revival style popularized by the World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
of 1893. In the next 25 years, they designed at least 19 other courthouses in this style.
Minnesota
- Douglas County Courthouse (Minnesota)
- Jackson County Courthouse (Minnesota)
- Kanabec County CourthouseKanabec County CourthouseThe Kanabec County Courthouse, located at 18 Vine Street North in Mora, Kanabec County in the U.S. state of Minnesota is a beige brick, Romanesque building, featuring a prominent 4-story center tower. The courthouse sits on a stone foundation. Arched windows and doorways with brown sandstone sills...
, by predecessor firm Buechner & Jacobson - Lac qui Parle County CourthouseLac Qui Parle County CourthouseThe Lac Qui Parle County Courthouse, located at 600 6th Street in Madison, Lac Qui Parle County in the U.S. state of Minnesota is a Richardsonian Romanesque style building featuring a high central tower, built in 1899 at a cost of $30,689....
, Buechner & Jacobson - Madison City Hall
- Otter Tail County Courthouse
- Ramsey County Poor Farm BarnRamsey County Poor Farm BarnThe Ramsey County Poor Farm Barn served as home and work for the indigent in Ramsey County, Minnesota. The barn is now used by the Ramsey County Cooperative extension service. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
- Swift County Courthouse, Buechner & Jacobson
- Wilkin County CourthouseWilkin County CourthouseThe Wilkin County Courthouse, located at 316 Fifth Avenue South in Breckenridge, Wilkin County in the U.S. state of Minnesota is a two-story Beaux Arts cream-colored brick and Bedford limestone structure with a high parapet. Over the doorway is a four-foot stone eagle, carved rosettes and garlands,...
North Dakota
- Grand Forks County CourthouseGrand Forks County CourthouseGrand Forks County Courthouse is a Beaux Arts style building in Grand Forks, North Dakota that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is a "richly decorated white limestone structure in a modified Classical Revival style, topped with a massive cast iron dome."It was...
, NRHP-listed - Dickey County Courthouse
- Divide County Courthouse
- Fargo Theatre Building
- Foster County Courthouse
- La Moure County Courthouse
- McHenry County Courthouse
- McIntosh County Courthouse (North Dakota)
- Mountrail County Courthouse
- Pembina County Courthouse
- Pierce County Courthouse (North Dakota)
- Richland County Courthouse (North Dakota)
- Sargent County Courthouse
- Traill County Courthouse
South Dakota
- Deuel County Courthouse and Jail
- McPherson County Courthouse (South Dakota)