Nearly 140-Year-Old Building Set to Open First Elevator

Before she died in 2015, Mary Faith Young longed to see the installation of an elevator within a courthouse built in 1883 in Jamestown, North Dakota, The Jamestown Sun reports. A building closed for nearly 40 years, it was set to reopen just a few months after her death. If she were she still alive today (she would be 102), she would be able to enjoy her desire: The building’s new elevator is scheduled to open on May 28. Because of its high area up to the second floor, officials got behind the idea to improve the stair section by adding an elevator. With construction in early April, the elevator will help building visitors such as wheelchair users. The design was a challenge because access on its main entrance would alter the original design. Historical societies try to avoid architectural changes, but public buildings need to be brought up to safety codes and utility usage rules. Not all considerations were taken, but viewers were generally pleased with the ultimate design by RDA, Inc. of Fargo, North Dakota. Once it starts general operation, the elevator will run from the basement up through the second floor.