Talk:Monroe County Courthouse (Indiana) 1818

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The first courts assembled in the house of Abner Blair, but at the first session of the County Board a double log cabin was ordered erected on the public square without delay, to be used for court purposes until a better one was built. It was called the "temporary court house." The order was issued on the third day of the first session. The double cabins were to be 20x20 feet and 12x20 feet respectively, were to be ten feet apart with covered entry connecting the two—in fact, the two cabins and the entry were to be covered by one roof. The cabins were to be built of round logs, which were afterward to be hewed down. Each was to be ten feet high to the eaves, and each was to contain one door and one window. A few slight changes were made to this plan, but in the main the double building has been described. Samuel Elliott was the contractor, but the contract price cannot be stated, though it did not exceed about $400. Mr. Elliott also contracted to clear the trees from around the new court house, which he did. So rapidly was the work pushed, that the building was ready for use in August, 1818.

In February, 1819, preparations were made to build a permanent and substantial court house. The plan prepared by William Low stated that the building was to be of brick with a stone foundation, was to be two stories high, and was to be forty-five feet long, east and west and forty feet wide, north and south. In May, 1819, Robert Stafford took the contract, but as he could not give security at the price of his bond—$20,000—the contract was re-let to John Ketchum for $7,965. The work was begun in June, and in August the first installment of $1,000 was paid the contractor. It was at this time that posts and railings were erected around the temporary court house. Samuel Harryman was one of the brick-makers for the new court house. In February, 1820, Rawlins, County Treasurer, donated certain commissions due him on receipts from the sale of town lots, provided such donation was used in the purchase of a public clock for the temporary court house. His offer was accepted. In 1820, David Teauge finished clearing the timber from the public square for $24. In February, 1820, some important changes were made in the plan of the new court house. In August, 1821, Mr. Ketchum was paid $4,000 on his court house contract. At this time, the rough work of the building had been completed. David Armstrong was hired to build a "cubola" (as the county clerk wrote it) on the building. For the three years prior to December, 1822, the clerk's office was in the house of Jacob B. Lowe. He was ordered paid $60 for the rent. It was a long time before the court house was fully completed. Just why, cannot be certainly stated, but probably because the county board paid the contractor before the work was completed, whereupon he permitted the work to languish. In 1824, Edward Borland was paid $352.70 for extra woodwork on the building, and David Armstrong $1,505.20. Benjamin Neeld was also paid $24, and others, $81. Mr. Ketchum was not paid his full contract price. The building was not fully completed, outside and inside, until 1826. It cost about $8,300. The board had great trouble about a "Franklin rod," which they considered necessary for the safety of the building. Austin Seward was hired to paint the building a bright red, and then pencil it with white, and to have the work completed before September, 1826. In 1825, Samuel Dunning took the contract to build a combined clerk's office and county library room, which he did before November. Seward painted it. The public square was fenced at this time. Z. Williams did the wood work on the clerk's office. Ewing & Montgomery did the plastering. In May, 1826, the building was occupied. Mr. Z. Williams was delivered the key to the court house, and instructed to keep it locked, permitting it to be occupied only by the courts, County Commissioners, taking of depositions, Fourth of July celebrations, elections, "when any person shall want admittance for the purpose of acquiring architectural knowledge, and in the discretion of the keeper to any preacher of the Gospel." When the building was fully completed, it was turned over with all its architectural excellence to the county board. And it was a fine building for that day, and Bloomington was one of the most promising towns in the State. In March, 1827, the citizens petitioned the County Board as follows: " To the Honorable Board of Justices of Monroe County: The undersigned petitioners respectfully represent that they conceive that the honor of our county and the future interest and importance of Bloomington, which now ranks among the best villages in the State, imperiously requires that the court house should be surrounded by a permanent inclosure, which would add to the convenience and beauty of our public square, and at the same time hold forth a powerful inducement to the citizens of the town to make corresponding improvements in the streets and alleys." Then followed a long suggestion as to how the fence should be built—of brick, with a stone foundation. The prayer of the petitioners was granted by the County Board. The petitioners were Thomas Graham, William Alexander, Edward Borland, John Hight, George Henry, James Whitcomb, Edmund Wayman, Granville Ward, Richard Hardesty, William S. Wright, James Slocumb, Robinson Farmer, George H. Johnson, Frederick Butler, Jacob Harsh, John S. Barnes, " and others." William Bannister and John Robinson did the work on the inclosure. John Ketchum, the contractor of the court house, was not fully settled with until 1828 or 1829. In 1856-58, the court house was remodeled, the work being done under the contract of John F. Rogers, who built the two brick wings at a cost of about $7,000. A few other alterations have been made in the building, otherwise it is the same that was erected over sixty years ago, and is apparently as solid and substantial as the day it was completed.

Cheers! bd2412 T 03:06, 5 August 2010 (UTC)