The Courthouse That Built Itself

The want of a new building for county purposes has long been felt here and the County Commissioners have at last taken the bull by the horns. At their last meeting, architect Isaac Palmer submitted a plan for a building to be erected on the county lot at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets. This was accepted and contracts are to be let immediately. It is to be 51x80 feet, two stories high, with a flat, hip roof, presenting four gables with handsome ornamental facings. A cupola, forty-six feet high, from the base to the top of the spire, will occupy the centre of the roof. The building will front on Third street, with three double doors. The lower story will be divided into seven rooms for county offices, with a large vault in the rear of the Treasurer’s office. A double stairway will lead from the front hall to the second story, the ceiling of which is to be 16 feet high. The court room, 50x50 feet, will occupy this apartment, with private rooms in the rear for the judge, clerk and witnesses. The base of the cupola will open into the center of the court room, twenty feet in diameter. The manner in which the several county officers have hitherto been scattered about has been very inconvenient and will be remedied by a Court House of this kind. The county is not only rich but also growing and can abundantly afford it.