Upper Sandusky in Wyandot County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wyandot County Courthouse & The Shawshank Redemption

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2018

1. Wyandot County Courthouse & The Shawshank Redemption Marker

Inscription. Wyandot County’s third and current courthouse was constructed from 1899-1900. Designed by the firm of Yost & Packard, the architects of courthouses in Wood, Harrison, and other counties, the building is a wonderful example of Beaux-Arts Classicism. The third floor courtroom was featured in the 1994 motion picture “The Shawshank Redemption,” based on a Stephen King novella. Director-screenwriter Frank Darabont chose the courtroom for the opening scenes of the movie, which features Academy Award-winning actors Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Many courtroom "extras” were Wyandot County residents. A time capsule inside Lady Justice, atop the dome, contains a copy of the movie, commemorating ‘Shawshank’ enthusiasts who supported the statue’s 2009 restoration. A restoration of the building was completed in 2015. The courthouse and adjacent jail were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Erected 2018 by Friends of the Shawshank Redemption and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 6-88.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music

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• Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, and the Time Capsules series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1994.

Location. 40° 49.641′ N, 83° 16.871′ W. Marker is in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in Wyandot County. Marker is at the intersection of South Sandusky Avenue (Ohio Route 199) and East Wyandot Avenue, on the right when traveling north on South Sandusky Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 S Sandusky Ave, Upper Sandusky OH 43351, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1000 feet east - site of Fort Ferree (here, next to this marker); William Naus VFW Post 2842 Upper Sandusky, Ohio (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wyandot Museum (about 700 feet away); The William Walker Jr. House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Ferree - Overland Inn - Indian Spring (approx. 0.2 miles away); Neil A. Armstrong (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stephan Lumber Company / “The Shawshank Redemption” Woodshop (approx. ¼ mile away); Tschanen Elm (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Sandusky.

More about this marker. This marker was unveiled

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2018

2. Wyandot County Courthouse & The Shawshank Redemption Marker

in a dedication ceremony on May 23, 2018.

Also see . . .
1. Wyandot County Courthouse. Article at the Wyandot County Visitors Bureau website. “During the first one hundred years of her life, Lady Justice suffered numerous “injuries.” There were several bullet holes, her scales were blown off during a storm, part of her sword went missing with the rest crudely welded on and a fourteenth-inch square section near her hip was completely gone. The decision was made in the early 2000s to restore the statue. In January of 2009, the statue was carefully removed and restored. By June 8, later that year, Lady Justice was slowly hoisted back to her place overlooking the county. ” (Submitted on July 4, 2018.)

2. The Shawshank Trail website - Andy’s Conviction. ”As you enter the courtroom, imagine Andy standing in front of the judge as he's sentenced for murdering his wife and her lover. Scenes shot here appear early on in the film, setting the stage for one of the greatest American movies to date. This location is a approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour west from filming sites in Mansfield or Ashland.” (Submitted on July 4, 2018.)

3. Wikipedia Entry for The Shawshank Redemption. “It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary

Wyandot County Courthouse and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2018

3. Wyandot County Courthouse and Markers

for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis ‘Red’ Redding (Morgan Freeman), and becomes instrumental in a money laundering operation led by the prison warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton). William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore appear in supporting roles.” ... “The film is now considered to be one of the greatest films of the 1990s.” (Submitted on July 4, 2018.)

Close Up of Photo of Lady Justice Reproduced on the Marker image. Click for full size.

4. Close Up of Photo of Lady Justice Reproduced on the Marker

Lady Justice and Detail of Roof Lines image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2018

5. Lady Justice and Detail of Roof Lines

Adjacent Sheriff’s Department and Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2018

6. Adjacent Sheriff’s Department and Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 654 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 4, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.