Ovid in Seneca County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Seneca County Court House Complex

1845

Seneca County Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 9, 2026

1. Seneca County Marker

Inscription. Historic Court House Complex
“Three Bears”
Listed In The National Register Of
Historic Places

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 42° 40.604′ N, 76° 49.355′ W. Marker is in Ovid, New York, in Seneca County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (New York State Route 96A) and E Seneca Street (County Route 139), on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7176 Main Street, Ovid NY 14521, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Finger Lakes.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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1845 Seneca County Historic Court House Complex (here, next to this marker); “Mama Bear” (a few steps from this marker); War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); “Papa Bear” (a few steps from this marker); Edith B. Ford Memorial Library (within shouting distance of this marker); "Baby Bear" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas R. Lounsbury (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tillinghast Manor (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ovid.

Regarding Seneca County Court House Complex. The Seneca County Courthouse Complex at Ovid, also known as The "Three Bears", is a historic courthouse complex located at Ovid in Seneca County, New York. The 1845 courthouse, known as "Papa Bear", is a 2+1⁄2-story, three-by-four-bay, Neoclassical brick structure with a monumental frame pedimented portico supported by four Doric order columns and topped by a cupola. The "Old" Clerk's Office, known as "Baby Bear", was also constructed in 1845 and is similar in design and construction. The "New" Clerk's Office, known as "Mama Bear", was constructed about 1860 and is also of the same, simple Doric design.

“Papa Bear” 1845 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 9, 2026

2. “Papa Bear” 1845

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. (Wikipedia)

“Mama Bear” - 1860 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, July 9, 2026

3. “Mama Bear” - 1860

“Baby Bear” - 1845 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, April 15, 2024

4. “Baby Bear” - 1845

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2026, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 9, 2026, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.