Knoxville in Knox County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Court House

1840 – 1873

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2023

1. Old Court House Marker

Inscription. This building replaced a two-story log structure and housed Knox County offices and court for thirty-three years. Stephen A. Douglas presided over the 1841-1843 sessions of the district court. Knox County Museum is located here on the second floor.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 40° 54.491′ N, 90° 17.054′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Illinois, in Knox County. Marker is on East Main Street (U.S. 150) west of East Public Square, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Knoxville IL 61448, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The “Old Courthouse” (a few steps from this marker); Knox Township World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Hall of Records (within shouting distance of this marker); Knoxville Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); The Indian Trails (within shouting distance of this marker); John G. Sanburn (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Jail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 614 East South Street (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

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Regarding Old Court House. The building's days as a courthouse ended because the county seat was moved to Galesburg. The Knox County Museum was in the old courthouse from 1961 to 2009, when it moved into a new building.

Also see . . .
1. Old Knox County Courthouse and The Hall of Records. Brief history and details about the former courthouse and the records hall (now City Hall) that was built next door. (The Knox County Historical Sites, Inc) (Submitted on August 2, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Knox County Courthouse and Hall of Records (PDF). National Register nomination for the neighboring government buildings, which were listed in 1992. (National Archives) (Submitted on August 2, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

National Register of Historic Places plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2023

2. National Register of Historic Places plaque

Old Court House Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2023

3. Old Court House Markers

Old Knox County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2023

4. Old Knox County Courthouse

Courthouse and Hall of Records image. Click for full size.

Joseph Hill via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), May 5, 1936

5. Courthouse and Hall of Records

A photograph of an 1870 print showing the courthouse (right) and the county Hall of Records (left), which was built in 1854.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.