Blue Earth County Courthouse Case Study

The Solutions

In June of 1990, Schwickert’s began restoring the copper dome, the statue and the clock faces that sat high atop the Blue Earth County Courthouse in Mankato, Minnesota. The design specifications required not only the assessment of these structures, but also a complete restoration—leaving not a single detail to chance. After a cumulative effort between Blue Earth County historians and Schwickert’s engineers, a final restoration plan was completed and approved by February of 1991.

Plan in hand, Schwickert’s immediately began construction on the copper dome. An I-beam hoisting harness system was designed to lift and remove the dome. The tools used during the restoration process were designed and fabricated on site. Once built, the process of replicating the ornate copper detail began.

The statue was completely refabricated from the inside out. A newly designed metal support was placed on the interior of the statue. The entire restoration process required an intricate balance between art form and workmanship. It was drawn from the best of the old world craftsmanship and meshed with newer technology to recreate both the beauty and detail of the original structure.

The efforts paid off. In 1993, the project won the National Award of Excellence from the Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC.) It continues to stand as a beautiful landmark high atop the Blue Earth County Courthouse in Mankato, Minnesota.

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