Vigo County Courthouse

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Vigo County Courthouse
Vigo County Courthouse, Terre Haute, IN, US (15).jpg
Map of Vigo County Indiana Townships.svg
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Location in Vigo County
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Location in Indiana
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Location in United States
General information
Architectural style Second Empire
Address33 So.3rd St
Town or city Terre Haute, Indiana
CountryUnited States
Coordinates 39°27′57″N87°24′52″W / 39.46583°N 87.41444°W / 39.46583; -87.41444
Elevation506 feet above sea level [1]
Construction startedAugust 1884
Completed1888
InauguratedJune 7, 1888
Cost$443,000 at original completion
OwnerVigo County, Indiana
Height284 feet
Dimensions
Diameter226 feet (NS) and 277 feet (EW)
Design and construction
Architect(s) Samuel Hannaford
Vigo County Courthouse
Area74,515 square feet
NRHP reference No. 83000160 [2]
Added to NRHPJune 30, 1983
Main contractorTerre Haute Stone Co.

The Vigo County Courthouse is a courthouse in Terre Haute, Indiana. The seat of government for Vigo County, the courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Contents

Original courthouse

Temporary meeting place

Vigo County was formed in 1818 by the Indiana General Assembly and construction of the county's first courthouse began that year. In the meantime, the temporary courthouse was the Eagle and Lion Tavern on the corner of Wabash Avenue and Second Street. [3]

Construction

The original Vigo County Courthouse, 1818-1866. FirstVigoCountyCourthouse.jpg
The original Vigo County Courthouse, 1818-1866.

Early records show that on May 13, 1818, Nathaniel P. Huntington was allowed $10 for drawing up bonds; John M. Coleman $350 in part pay for building foundations; William Durham $400 in part pay for building walls, and Elihu Hovey and John Brocklebank $300 in part pay for building Court House. In November 1818, public records show that Charles B. Modesitt was allowed $25 for "clearing off the public square," indicating that the work of building the Court House began in 1818, though the structure was not completed until 1822.

This original structure was brick with a broad arched transom and an interior with elevated box seats and steps. A center aisle ran through the center of the building, dividing the structure into a south side dedicated to seating and a north side for the express use of the court and room for a judge's bench, lawyers' tables and a jury box. [4]

Community importance

The bottom floor of the courthouse was completed in 1822 and quickly became the place for court business, political gatherings, elections, public town meetings, lectures, sermons and more. Sometime in 1834-35, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon held meetings there defending the fledgling Latter Day Saint movement. [4] In the 1850s, George W. Julian delivered an Abolition speech in the courthouse, where an angry mob gathered to prevent him from speaking but eventually departed. [3]

Numerous notable lawyers from the region began their careers at the first Vigo County Courthouse, including Thomas H. Blake, James Whitcomb, Elisha Mills Huntington and Edward A. Hannegan. [4]

Colonel Francis Vigo

On July 4, 1832, Colonel Francis Vigo, the county's namesake, traveled from his home in Vincennes, Indiana, to visit Terre Haute and the urging of some of its prominent citizens. [4] Impressed by the city, Vigo remembered the courthouse in his will (dated December 9, 1834) by a gift of $500 to Vigo County to be used "in the purchase of a bell for the courthouse of said county, on which will be inscribed 'Presented by Francis Vigo.'" [3]

Need for a new courthouse

This structure served until 1866. In 1868, the structure was declared unfit for use. A temporary courthouse was established in a four-story brick building on the corner of Third and Ohio streets until a more permanent structure could be built. It was assumed that the original courthouse would be fixed and return to use, but this never occurred, and the temporary structure ended up being used for 22 years. The building of a new courthouse was stalled in part by squabbling among the city council and a special election in May 1871 in which the vote was 450 for and nearly 4,000 against the project, where it was then ordered that no new courthouse be built at that time.

Second courthouse

The Vigo County Courthouse, circa 1894. VigoCountyCourthouse1894.jpg
The Vigo County Courthouse, circa 1894.

The second courthouse is a Second Empire-style structure designed by Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford. [5]

Construction

Work began on the current structure when a 10,000-pound cornerstone was laid on August 28, 1884, with ceremonies sponsored by the Freemasons with a principal address by the Honorable D. W. Voorhees. This event was attended by many from the surrounding country as well as adjacent towns in Illinois. [3]

Designed by Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford, the building was constructed by the Terre Haute Stone Company at a cost of $443,000. The courthouse is made from Indiana limestone gathered from Stinesville, Indiana quarries. [1] Cast-iron work in the roof and dome as well as windows and cresting were completed by Phoenix Foundry and Machine Works. [3] [6] : Part 1, p. 29-30 

Originally, the main floor consisted of offices, with two large, high-ceiling courtrooms on the second floor. Elegantly finished and furnished, the courthouse was heated with steam from a detached building to the south and featured a hydraulic elevator. [3]

In accordance with the will of Francis Vigo, the courthouse features a two-ton bell made in 1887. The bell was bought for $2,500, partially funded by the money left in Vigo's will.

The courthouse was dedicated on June 7, 1888.

The courthouse is of similar style to the Vanderburgh County Courthouse.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. [5]

Related Research Articles

Samuel Hannaford was an American architect based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Some of the best known landmarks in the city, such as Music Hall and City Hall, were of his design. The bulk of Hannaford's work was done locally, over 300 buildings, but his residential designs appear through New England to the Midwest and the South.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hippodrome Theatre (Terre Haute, Indiana)</span> United States historic place

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">First National Bank (Terre Haute, Indiana)</span> United States historic place

The First National Bank is a historic bank building located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built in 1892 and remodeled in 1928, and is a two-story, Classical Revival style limestone building. It features a central pedimented pavilion supported by Corinthian order columns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Congregational Church (Terre Haute, Indiana)</span> Historic church in Indiana, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carr's Hall</span> United States historic place

Carr's Hall was a historic commercial building located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built in 1857, and was a two-story, Italianate style brick building. It featured a cast iron storefront on the first story and elaborated pedimented window surrounds on the second. It was one of Terre Haute's oldest buildings. It has been demolished.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Building</span> United States historic place

Star Building is a historic commercial building located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built in 1912, and is a four-story, Chicago school style brick building. It features limestone and terra cotta detailing and a pressed metal decorative cornice. The building was built to house the Terre Haute Star newspaper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House at 823 Ohio Street</span> Historic house in Indiana, United States

House at 823 Ohio Street is a historic home located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built in 1880, and is a two-story, rectangular brick dwelling with Italianate and Queen Anne style design elements. It features segmental arched windows and a rounded arch window with a wood sunburst surround.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building at 510–516 Ohio Street</span> United States historic place

510–516 Ohio Street is a historic commercial building located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built in 1891–1892, and is a three-story, rectangular, Italianate style brick building. It features stone, cast iron, and pressed metal decorative elements. It was renovated in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building at 810 Wabash Avenue</span> United States historic place

Building at 810 Wabash Avenue is a historic commercial building located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built about 1870, and is a two-story, rectangular, Italianate style brick building. It features an elaborate cast iron storefront on the first story and round arched windows on the second.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chamber of Commerce Building (Terre Haute, Indiana)</span> United States historic place

Chamber of Commerce Building is a historic commercial building located in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, United States. It was built in 1925, and is a two-story, rectangular, Tudor Revival-style brown brick building. It features limestone detailing, a green tile facade roof, and an arcade of Tudor arches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building at 23–27 S. Sixth Street</span> United States historic place

Building at 23–27 S. Sixth Street is a historic commercial building located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built in 1882, and is a two-story, rectangular, Italianate style brick building. It features a cast iron storefront on the first story, tall, narrow segmental arched windows on the second, and a projecting cornice. It was renovated in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citizens' Trust Company Building</span> United States historic place

Citizens' Trust Company Building, also known as the Sycamore Building, is a historic office building located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was designed in 1920 by the local firm of Johnson, Miller & Miller and built in 1921–1922, and is a 12-story, Chicago school style steel frame building sheathed in brick. It features stone and terra cotta detailing and Art Deco style design elements. The building was built to house the main office of the Citizens' Trust Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House at 209–211 S. Ninth Street</span> Historic house in Indiana, United States

The house at 209–211 S. Ninth Street was a historic home located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built about 1880, and was a one-story, Late Victorian rectangular frame duplex cottage. It featured an elaborate Eastlake movement style front porch with a shed roof. It has been demolished.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wabash Avenue–West Historic District</span> Historic district in Indiana, United States

Wabash Avenue–West Historic District is a national historic district located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It encompasses 24 contributing buildings in the central business district of Terre Haute. It developed after 1870 and includes representative examples of Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and Renaissance Revival style architecture. Notable buildings include 408 Wabash Avenue, 425-431 Wabash Avenue (1867-1868), the White Block (1899), The Albrecht Building (1893), 522 Wabash Avenue (1890), 524 Wabash Avenue, Koopman Building (1875), Blumberg Building (1915), and the Hotel Deming (1914).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wabash Avenue–East Historic District</span> Historic district in Indiana, United States

Wabash Avenue–East Historic District is a national historic district located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It encompasses 20 contributing buildings in the central business district of Terre Haute. It developed between about 1880 and 1940 and includes representative examples of Italianate, Romanesque Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Art Deco style architecture. Located in the district is the separately listed Indiana Theatre. Other notable buildings include The Kaufman Block (1863-1868), Terre Haute Trust Company (1908), the Tribune Building (1912), Bement-Rea Warehouse (1908), Swope Block (1901), AT&T Building, and Ohio Building (1912).

Phoenix Club was a historic clubhouse located at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. It was built in 1905, and was a two-story, rectangular, Renaissance Revival style pressed brick building with limestone detailing. It was built to house the Phoenix Club, a Jewish men's organization. It later housed the Central Labor Union of Vigo County. It has been demolished.

References

  1. 1 2 Greninger, Howard. "Vigo County Courthouse: Historic building currently being renovated". Tribune-Star. Terre Haute, Indiana. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Vigo County Courthouse". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-05-13.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bradsby, H.C. (1891). History of Vigo County, Indiana, with Biographical Selections. Chicago: S. B. Nelson & Co. pp.  87, 139, 488, 574.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Condit, Blackford (1900). The History of Early Terre Haute from 1816-1840. New York: A. S. Barnes. pp.  66–70.
  5. 1 2 "Downtown Terre Haute Multiple Resource Area: Vigo County Courthouse". National Park Service . Retrieved December 29, 2017. With two photos from 1979 and c.1895.
  6. ↑ "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved 2016-07-01.Note: This includes Alan Goebes (March 1983). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Historic Resources of Downtown Terre Haute (Part 1)" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-07-01. and Alan Goebes (March 1983). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Historic Resources of Downtown Terre Haute (Part 2)" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-07-01.
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