ADEL, IOWA

Project History
The French chateau building that serves as the Dallas
County Courthouse was constructed in 1902 and designed
by two men, Willis T. Proudfoot and George W. Bird who
had only one semester at the newly founded M.I.T. School
of Architecture between them. Their primary guide was
their extensive library of architectural books and drawings.
When their firm was bankrupted by the Wichita building
crash of the 1890s, they traveled in search of their fortune.
Eventually, they settled in Iowa, where they built everything
from funeral vaults to factories. The courthouse features
a 128 foot tower, and is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. The firm of Keffer/Overton was
commissioned to oversee both interior and exterior
renovations. Exterior renovations presented a challenge.
Natural Bedford Limestone features a variety of hues.
Weathering caused the color variation to appear even more
pronounced. E & H Restoration was able to tint Matrix
repair mortar in the field to blend with each patch area.

Time Frame – 2006

Architects
Keffer/Overton
Architects,
Des Moines, IA

Contractor
E & H
Restoration, L.L.C.,
Davenport, IA

Distributor
Stetson Building,
Products, Inc.,
Rock Island, IL