The restoration experts at Graciano Corporation recently completed a comprehensive exterior brick, terra cotta, and limestone masonry overhaul of the 1913 DeSoto County Courthouse in Arcadia, Florida.

“This DeSoto County Courthouse is the most important building in Arcadia’s historic district and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so maintaining the building’s authentic character was a leading concern.” stated President of Graciano, Glenn Foglio. The redbrick courthouse is a significant example of American monumental classical design and ornamentation, adapted to the traditional setting of a small-town Southern courthouse square. True to its intended function, and to the period of its construction, it combines elements of Greek and Roman Classicism to create a dignified but welcoming presence.

Day-to-day courthouse business continued without interruption while the work was in progress. The Graciano team painstakingly executed a period-sensitive program —on budget and on time—within a six-month period.

The project’s scope encompassed the following:
•  Encapsulated entire building with steel scaffold and dust protection scrim.
•  A soft water wash cleaning was performed to all exterior masonry terra cotta, limestone and brick surfaces of the building.
•  All isolated invasive weeds and roots that were found growing between terra cotta and limestone masonry joints were removed and treated with a weed deterrent.
•  Cut out and repointed all terra cotta, glass block and limestone masonry joints with a high lime content replacement mortar.
•  Spot pointed defective brick masonry joints with high lime content replacement mortar.
•  Repaired broken, cracked, missing and severely damaged units of terra cotta.
•  Patched spalled and missing areas of limestone.
•  Replaced and or patched individual damaged brick.
•  Removed and replaced severely corroded steel lintels.
•  All top surfaces of cornices, water tables and wash surface masonry joints were recalked with urethane sealant.
•  All top surfaces of terra cornices and water tables received an elastomeric, breathable masonry waterproof coating.
•  Recoated main roof, installed new pent roof and reinstalled missing original lightning protection cable.
•  Removed and relocated north, south, east and west elevation security cameras.
•  Fabricated all existing entrance handrails to become ADA compliant.

“After surviving more than a century of hot, humid summers and occasional hurricanes, this structure was showing its age. But, as the focal point of the town of Arcadia and DeSoto County, it was well worth preserving,” says Mr. Foglio. “We’re proud to have helped preserve a landmark that reflects this community’s identity.”

Read More