Covington in Fountain County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fountain County Clerk's Building
Fountain County Art Council
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 25, 2008
1. Old Fountain County Clerk Office.
Historic Landmarks of Fountain County
Award Presented to Fountain County Art Council
for Restoration and Preservation of
Fountain County Clerk's Building Built 1842.Erected 2008 by Historic Landmarks of Fountain County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.
Location. 40° 8.349′ N, 87° 23.816′ W. Marker is in Covington, Indiana, in Fountain County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Fourth Street and Harrison Street. Take Fourth Street North. Location sits on Right side of street. Marker is on front porch to right of front door. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 516 North Fourth Street, Covington IN 47932, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Covington Carnegie Library (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Covington - Indiana City Building (about 600 feet away); Fountain County (Indiana) Court House (about 700 feet away); Fountain County Centennial Memorial
this page online
Regarding Fountain County Clerk's Building. The “Old Clerk’s Building” was ordered to be built on the Courthouse Lawn (38' long and 25" wide) of brick in March of 1842 to protect county records from fire.
Called a “central passage structure”, or “shot-gun house” design:: one hall-way goes entirely through the building with offices on both sides. (The “shot-gun house” was so called because you could shoot a gun through the front door and nothing was hit anywhere as the blast would exit the back door.)
There were two rooms on either side of the central hall way of the “Old Clerk’s Building”. The Fountain County offices for the “Clerk”, “Auditor”, and the “Recorder” occupied most of the building. Two rooms were rented to local attorneys.
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 25, 2008
2. Current Courthouse - Fountain County: 1936c - Present
In this Covington, Indiana building Lew Wallace began his Law Practice and career as lawyer, military leader, government leader, and author. Wallace moved his office and family to Crawfordsville, Indiana in 1853.
The “Old Clerk’s Building” of Fountain County was sold at public auction for $95 in 1859 and was moved, across the street and two blocks North, to its current location becoming a private residence. A larger and new County Courthouse (number three) was built on the County Square.
In 2001 the “Fountain County Art Council” bought the “Old Clerk’s Building” restoring it and is developing it as a historical interpretive center.
Also see . . . General Lew Wallace Study & Museum at Crawfordsville, Indiana. Museum website (Submitted on May 31, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 25, 2008
3. Front Porch Entry.
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 25, 2008
4. South / West Corner of Old Clerk Building
The Historic Marker is up on front porch.
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 30, 2009
5. 2001 Sign - - Fountain County Clerk's Building
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 2, 2009
6. Currently - - Front / First Room on Right
Among the many items - the Attica City Clerk Treasurer Desk used by Morris Blout 1913-1939 now at the "Old Clerk's Building".
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 2, 2009
7. " Removal Basket "
On loan from Shelby Funeral Home (thanks to Bob Shelby) this wicker "Removal Basket" was used when funerals were conducted in the homes of the deceased's family.
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 2, 2009
8. Exhibit of " Mourning Attire "
The exhibit includes the clothing items and description of the general social rules of mourning in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 2, 2009
9. Old Tax Records and County Clerk Records Room
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 2, 2009
10. Another Full Display of Historical Memories.....
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 2, 2009
11. Original - Walnut Lift Top Desk
Labeled: Fountain County F. & A. M. Lodge #6
Chartered - May 26, 1846
Lew Wallace, Member
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 30, 2009
12. Items on Lift Top Desk
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 30, 2009
13. Wallace Room......
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 30, 2009
14. Lew Wallace Desk
The Lew Wallace Desk was used in the "Old Clerk's Building" between 1849 - 1853. A number of Lew Wallace related items are here on the desk.
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 30, 2009
15. Bronze Bust of Lew Wallace
The bronze bust was cast by J. Berchem of Chicago, Illinois.
Photographed By Al Wolf, May 25, 2008
16. Covington, Indiana - Welcome Sign !
Indiana Historical Bureau, circa 1915
17. Fountain County Courthouse -- 1861c - 1936c
Indiana Historical Bureau, circa Unknown
18. Other View - - Fountain County Courthouse: 1861c - 1936c
Photographed By Courtesy:: Trevor Searcy, October 24, 2010
19. National Register Marker
The upper marker - text reads:: "Fountain County Clerk's Building 1842 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior". It was added to the National Register in 2002 and has the number of 02000692.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,360 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. Photos: 1. submitted on May 25, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 2. submitted on June 3, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 3, 4. submitted on May 25, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on May 31, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 16. submitted on May 25, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 17, 18. submitted on June 3, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 19. submitted on October 26, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
