Adams County Courthouse added to National Register of Historic Places

December 7, 2018 became more than Pearl Harbor Day for residents of Ritzville and Adams County. The Washington Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) notified Ritzville and Adams County residents that the Adams County Courthouse has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although Ritzville now hosts six of nine properties in Adams County which have been listed in the National Register, criteria for recognition is not lax. To be listed, a property must be at least 50 years old and retain historic character. The notification from the Department of Historical Preservation stated: "...the Courthouse is historically significant for its direct connection to the growth, and development of Adams County." In another vein, the notice continues: "The courthouse is also significant as a representative of work of the noted Spokane architectural firm of Whitehouse & Price."

In addition to the 50-year "rule" (which is not hard and fast), National Register criteria includes:

-Association with important events which have contributed significantly to the broad pattern of our history; or

-Association with the lives of persons significant in our past; or

-Embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; or represent the work of a master; or possess high artistic values; or

-Have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history.

In addition to meeting these criteria, a property must have "historic integrity" – which is the authenticity of a property's historic identity. That simply means physical characteristics of the property during its historic period must have survived in order to validate the nomination for inclusion in the Historical Register.

The Adams County Courthouse, as we know it today, was built in 1941. It was not the first courthouse for the County, however. Early residents of Ritzville petitioned the territorial legislature to establish their own county being that Colfax, the county seat of Whitman County, was too far away. When the measure was passed, the only settlement large enough to be considered a town within the new Adams County became the county seat. The county offices were first located in a rented room, but by 1885 the county was operating out of its own building. A new large courthouse was built by 1891, then enlarged and remodeled in 1905. 1941 marked the construction of the existing Adams County Courthouse. The architectural firm was Whitehouse & Price as mentioned in the notification of historical registry. The contractor was Clyde Lundberg.

Harold Whitehouse had an interesting background. He was a Massachusetts native who moved west to Spokane in 1907. He had worked as a draftsman in Boston, but at the time he came west he had no formal architectural training. He formed an architectural firm in Spokane and as a member of the Episcopal church, was approached by the bishop with the idea of building a cathedral. Whitehouse left Spokane in 1911 for Cornell University's architectural program, which he completed in two years. Returning to Spokane, he established partnership with Ernest Price, also a Cornell graduate. Their partnership designed over 2400 commissions throughout the Northwest: schools, government buildings, campus buildings, homes, and businesses.

In 1923, Whitehouse traveled throughout Europe with a group of architects in order to study cathedrals. Two years later, construction began on St. John's Cathedral on South Hill in Spokane. Whitehouse took an active part during construction to ensure very detailed work. To say that the Cathedral would be his crowning achievement is an understatement. Whitehouse & Price also designed the Adams County Courthouse, his association with the project is an element in the decision to place the Courthouse on the Historical Register as representing the work of a significant master architect of his time.

The Adams County Courthouse is but one of nine Adams County listings placed on the National Register of Historical Places (eight remain after the High school was demolished in 1913). The Railroad Depot History Museum was built in 1910, deeded to the City in 1988 after passenger service stopped, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places a year later. The Burroughs Home (408 W. Main) was bequeathed to the City in 1962 and placed on the Register in 1975. In 1980, the Nathaniel Greene House (502 S. Adams Street) was added to the National Register. Ritzville's Carnegie Library was placed on the Register in 1982, followed by the downtown Historic District in May, 1990.

Many folks wonder what sort of limits come with a National Historical place designation. The National Listing does not automatically preserve a building, nor does it prevent a building from modification or destruction. It does, however, provide recognition of a property and becomes a tool for local planning, heritage tourism and education.

The Listing does not place restrictions on a private owner regarding use, maintenance, or alterations. It does not affect the sale of private property nor are there requirements to return the structure to its historical state as a result of loss or damage. An owner is not required to allow public access to private property. An owner is encouraged, but not required, to provide continued maintenance of private property, nor is any government or private entity required to maintain the private property.

A historical marker is not required for the property, although owners are eligible to purchase one through private vendors if desired.