Carroll County Court House (New Hampshire) facts for kids
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Carroll County Court House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 20 Courthouse Square, Ossipee, New Hampshire |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1916 |
| Built by | Wallace Building Co. |
| Architect | Dow, Albert H. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000949 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 12, 2007 |
The Carroll County Court House is an old and important building in Ossipee, New Hampshire. It was built in 1916. This building is the oldest courthouse still standing in Carroll County. It's a great example of Colonial Revival architecture, which is a classic American building style.
For many years, the building held county offices. It also served as a courthouse until 2004. Today, it is home to the Ossipee Historical Society. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It was also listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2003.
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What is the Carroll County Court House?
The Carroll County Court House is located in Ossipee Village. You can find it on the south side of Courthouse Square. It's near where Old Route 28 meets Browns Ridge Road.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This building has two stories and is shaped like the letter "I". It is made of brick with special limestone decorations. The building has wide sections at the front and back. A central part connects these two wider sections.
Originally, the front section held offices for the county. The middle section was the main courtroom. The back part had offices for judges and other court staff. Each section of the building has a hip roof, which slopes upward from all sides.
The front of the building has three main parts. The middle part sticks out a little. It has a triangular top, called a gable. This gable is held up by two pairs of Doric columns. These are tall, round pillars.
The windows on the first floor are curved at the top. They have special limestone "keystones" that look like wedges. The windows on the second floor are rectangular. They have flat stone tops called lintels, also with keystones. The main entrance has a double door. It has windows on the sides and a large, half-oval window above it.
A Look Back: The History of the Courthouse
The very first courthouse in what is now Carroll County was built in 1839. It was on the same spot where the current building stands. At that time, this area was part of Strafford County.
Carroll County was officially created in 1840. The courthouse on this site was chosen as the county's main office. As the county grew, more space was needed. So, the current building was constructed in 1916.
The building was designed by Albert H. Dow. He was from nearby Tuftonboro. Mr. Dow worked as an architect in Boston, Massachusetts.
From Court to Community: What is it Now?
In 1960, the inside of the building was changed quite a bit. This was done to create even more space. County offices especially needed more room.
However, in 1979, the county offices moved to a brand new building. Then, in 2004, the court facilities also moved to a different new building.
Since then, the Ossipee Historical Society has taken care of the old courthouse. They use it to share the history of the area. It's a great example of how old buildings can find new life!
See also
