Yakima Courthouse and Federal Building Celebrates Centennial

The William O. Douglas U.S Courthouse and Federal Building in Yakima, Washington celebrates its 100th birthday on June 21, 2012. The courthouse is home to district, magistrate and bankruptcy judges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

At the building’s 1912 opening, citizens enjoyed tours led by the building’s federal employees, and 100 years later the celebration will again feature an open house and building tours, along with a Centennial Ceremony, and a talk on the man for whom the courthouse is named:  Justice William O. Douglas. Douglas grew up in Yakima, Washington, going on to become the longest-serving justice in Supreme Court history.

GSA describes the courthouse as “an excellent example of Second Renaissance Revival architecture, a classically inspired and dignified style that conveyed the stability of the federal government.” The courthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

More about its history and architecture is available online.