On July 19, 2018, an EF-3 tornado moved, with estimated peak winds of 144mph, through Marshalltown and caused major damage to the historic Marshall County Courthouse. The tornado struck the downtown area during the late afternoon, damaging the courthouse spire, clock tower, dome, roof areas, interior spaces, and surrounding grounds. The recovery became a multi-year effort to stabilize, repair, modernize, and preserve one of Marshall County's most recognizable landmarks.
Why This Moment Matters
The 2018 tornado became one of the most significant modern events in the courthouse's history. The storm damaged the building's most visible architectural features, forced county operations to relocate, and required a major restoration effort. The recovery also reinforced the courthouse's importance as both a working public building and a symbol of Marshall County's resilience.
Today, the restoration stands as another chapter in the building's long preservation story, following earlier community efforts that saved and renovated the courthouse in the 1970s.
Timeline
The 1886 courthouse had already served Marshall County for more than 130 years and remained a working government building and historic landmark.
The Marshalltown tornado developed northwest of Marshalltown near the Marietta area and began moving southeast toward town.
The tornado moved through downtown Marshalltown with estimated peak winds of 144 mph. The courthouse was struck, and the spire and clock tower area were heavily damaged.
The courthouse suffered significant water damage after roof damage affected sprinkler lines. Water entered the building for an extended period before it could be stopped.
Officials announced that the courthouse was closed because of storm damage. County staff began cleanup, secured records and equipment, and started the process of moving services.
County and state offices began reopening in alternate locations. Court functions were temporarily shifted, and county business continued outside the damaged courthouse.
The National Weather Service documented the Marshalltown tornado as an EF-3 event. Reports noted that the tornado passed through downtown and caused EF-2 to EF-3 damage to many structures, including the courthouse.
County officials announced that damage to the courthouse exceeded $15.5 million.
The Board of Supervisors discussed improvements beyond insurance-funded storm repairs, recognizing the opportunity to improve courthouse layout and function while restoration was underway.
Officials and restoration teams continued evaluating the building. Reports identified major damage to the east side, courtroom areas, the clock tower, the dome, and interior finishes.
The estimated repair cost increased to about $20.5 million, and officials projected a possible July 2019 completion date at that stage of planning.
Official planning for a new courthouse layout led by OPN Architects was approved by the supervisors.
Officials shared a rough draft for the layout of the courthouse's five floors.
The original target date for completing repairs was pushed from July 2019 into the fall as the scope of work became clearer.
County and state judicial officials continued discussing courthouse layout plans. No final decision was made at that meeting.
The damaged dome was removed by crane. A temporary watertight roof was installed until a new dome could be constructed and placed on the building.
Repair estimates had increased to about $30 million, and the expected completion timeline moved into spring 2020.
Officials anticipated dome and spire installation work as part of the continued restoration process.
Architects and engineers assessed code issues, building loss, structural damage, water damage, and damaged site elements. The dome was rebuilt with a steel structure and copper cladding, the spire was reconstructed to match the original, and additional work addressed the clock tower, roofs, gutters, chimneys, lighting, trees, and interior renovations.
