West Chester in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Chester County Courthouse

West Chester, PA

— Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 —

Chester County Courthouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, November 10, 2011

1. Chester County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first court house within the limits of the present County of Chester stood at this corner on a plot of ground 115 feet in front by 165 feet in depth The building, begun in 1784 and completed in 1786, was used until 1846 when the present structure was erected

Erected 1921 by Chester County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.

Location. 39° 57.591′ N, 75° 36.288′ W. Marker is in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. Marker is at the intersection of North High Street and West Market Street on North High Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Chester PA 19380, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chester County (a few steps from this marker); Old Glory (a few steps from this marker); Chester County World War II Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Disabled Veterans of Chester County Pennsylvania Memorial (a few steps from this marker);

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The First National Bank of West Chester (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Biography (within shouting distance of this marker); William Darlington M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Chester County (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Chester.

Regarding Chester County Courthouse. This courthouse was designed by the same architect that designed the National Capital in Washington D.C.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Chester County - Wikipedia. (Submitted on December 14, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
2. Living Places - Chester County. (Submitted on December 14, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
3. Thomas U. Walter - Courthouse Architect. (Submitted on December 14, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. A Brief History of the Chester County Courthouse
The Chester County Courthouse was originally constructed in 1846, by Thomas U. Walter at an initial cost of $55,343.98. This

West Chester Borough Historic Site 3 - The 10 Commandments on the Courthouse Steps image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, November 10, 2011

2. West Chester Borough Historic Site 3 - The 10 Commandments on the Courthouse Steps

brick and stone structure measured 62' by 119' plus a 12' portico. In 1893, a 50' by 135' addition of Indiana limestone was erected under the supervision of architect T. Roney Williamson. A modern section has been added in 1966. In degree of architectural importance the original Walter section is by far the most significant.

— Submitted December 14, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

2. Borough of West Chester Historic Sites
This courthouse comprises two of the Borough of West Chesters, Historical Sites, #3 & #7

— Submitted December 14, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Chester County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, November 10, 2011

3. Chester County Courthouse

National Register Plaque - 1972 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, October 11, 2011

4. National Register Plaque - 1972

Courthouse Steps - 3 Markers Visible image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, October 11, 2011

5. Courthouse Steps - 3 Markers Visible

Historic Site 3 - Borough of West Chester image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, October 11, 2011

6. Historic Site 3 - Borough of West Chester

Market Street West Entrance - WC Historic Site 7 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, November 10, 2011

7. Market Street West Entrance - WC Historic Site 7

Market Street Center Entrance - WC Borough Historic Site 7 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, November 10, 2011

8. Market Street Center Entrance - WC Borough Historic Site 7

Borough of West Chester Historic Site 7 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, November 10, 2011

9. Borough of West Chester Historic Site 7 Marker

Chester County Courthouse Side Entry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, November 10, 2011

10. Chester County Courthouse Side Entry

Chester County Tricentennial Time Capsule image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, October 17, 2011

11. Chester County Tricentennial Time Capsule

Sealed November 1, 1983 to be opened at the
commencement of the Quadricentennal
Commissioners
Robert J. Thompson
Earl M. Baker
Patrick C. O’Donnell
Archivist Jack McCarthy
Vault Donated by DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, October 17, 2011

12. The TriCentennial Tree
In Honor of Chester County TriCentennial Celebration
October 26, 1982

Photographed By Keith S Smith, October 17, 2011

13. The TriCentennial Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 836 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on December 14, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.