Somerset in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Court House
1907
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 9, 2022
1. Court House Marker
Serving as the county seat of Somerset County this court house sits at elevation of 2,190 feet above sea level making it the highest county seat in Pennsylvania. The copper-sheathed dome rises 135-feet above the street making it visible throughout much of the town. In 1903 the county population was rising and the existing court house, built in 1852, was deemed to be insufficient. This decision was met with outcries from local citizens, who sported buttons stating, "The Old Court House Is Good Enough For Me!" Despite the protests, the original court house was removed using 100 charges of dynamite. The commissioners proceeded to gather bids from local firms to complete the construction on the new building. Work progressed through the winter of 1904 and by July of 1905 the finishing touches were being added. The interior is filled [with] ornate woodwork along with marble floors and staircases.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1905.
Location. 40° 0.576′ N, 79° 4.686′ W. Marker is in Somerset, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is at the intersection of Union Street and Center Street (Pennsylvania Route 601), on the left when traveling east on Union Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 East Union Street, Somerset PA 15501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Somerset County World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Somerset County Korean War / Vietnam War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Somerset County World War I Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); County Jail & Sheriff's Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Somerset County (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerset.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 9, 2022
2. Court House
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2022
3. Central Staircase Skylight, Somerset County Court House
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2022
4. View From the Top of the Central Staircase, Somerset County Court House
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2022
5. View From the Central Staircase Landing, Somerset County Court House
The four landing light fixtures atop the newel posts are seen in this view.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2022
6. Central Staircase Newel Post and Light, Somerset County Court House
This is one of the four newel posts at the staircase landing.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2022
7. Prothonotary Office Entrance, Somerset County Court House
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 13, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
