Whitley County Courthouse
This historic courthouse is the third iteration of the Whitley County Courthouse to serve this county. The first building was a wooden structure built in 1841. In 1850, a second courthouse was built on this public square. The structure was a two-story 50 feet square brick building that faced north.
In 1887, the Whitley County Commissioners approved plans to construct a new and larger courthouse building. The new structure would accommodate additional office space and improve security for valuable documents and records. Architect Brentwood S. Tolan of Fort Wayne was commissioned to design the present structure and Joseph S. Baker was hired as the builder. Construction began with the laying of the cornerstone dedication on September 20, 1888. The clock bell from the second courthouse was reinstalled in this courthouse and continues to strike at the top of each hour.
The completed building was dedicated on June 14, 1890. Guest speakers and dedication participants included the Honorable Thomas R. Marshall, Judge James S. Collins, Honorable William F. McNagny, and Judge L.D. Thoman.
Indiana Daughters
this page online
Charlotte Hurd Blair (Mrs. Lyle) State Regent 2018-2021
Dedicated June 14, 2021
Erected 2021 by Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1888.
Location. 41° 9.404′ N, 85° 29.317′ W. Marker is in Columbia City, Indiana, in Whitley County. Marker is on South Main Street (Business U.S. 30) just south of West Van Buren Street (Indiana Route 205), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, near the northeast corner of the Whitley County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 West Van Buren Street, Columbia City IN 46725, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Whitley County (a few steps from this marker); Whitley County Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitley County Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Riley Marshall (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph F. Gates (within shouting distance of this marker); Valiant Men and Women of Whitley County
Regarding Whitley County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places #79000029.
Also see . . .
1. Whitley County Courthouse (Wikipedia). The Whitley County Courthouse is a three-story, cruciform plan, French Renaissance style Indiana limestone building. A variety of prominent art works stand out on the Courthouse. Heads in Relief is a collection of limestone animal and figurative heads that are carved in a relief above the courthouse doors. (Submitted on June 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Whitley County Oral History Interview: Whitley County Courthouse. (Youtube video presentation of courthouse history) (Submitted on June 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Commissioners
George W. Lawrence
Henry Snyder
Peter Creager.
C.B. Mattoon, Auditor,
B. S. Tolan, Architect,
Joseph S. Baker, Builder,
Wm. & J.J. Geake Cut Stone Contractors.
Built in 1888
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
