Guernsey County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Guernsey County Courthouse
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The courthouse in Cambridge, Ohio
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Courthouse Sq., Cambridge, Ohio |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1881 |
| Architect | Yost, J.W.; Townsend, T.B. |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001452 |
| Added to NRHP | July 16, 1973 |
The Guernsey County Courthouse is an important building in Cambridge, Ohio. It's located on U.S. Route 40 and serves as the main courthouse for Guernsey County, Ohio. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 16, 1973.
Contents
History of the Guernsey County Courthouse
Guernsey County was created in 1810. Soon after, the county built its first courthouse. This building was located on Public Square in Cambridge.
The first courthouse was built in the Greek Revival style. It had red brick walls and two large double doors. Long, rectangular windows with dark shutters lined its sides. A tall spire, 87 feet high, topped the building. It had a small dome, called a cupola, with a fish-shaped weathervane. This first courthouse served the county for about 70 years.
Building the Second Courthouse
As the county's population grew, a new, larger courthouse was needed. The city of Cambridge hired Joseph W. Yost to design the new building. Yost designed the courthouse in the popular Second Empire style. This style was common for grand public buildings.
During this time, another town, Old Washington, Ohio, wanted to become the county seat. They argued they were more central. However, their request was not approved. The foundation for the second courthouse was laid in 1881. The cornerstone, a special stone laid at the start of construction, shows the date August 4, 1881. The new building was officially opened on September 11, 1883.
Exterior Design and Features
The outside of the courthouse is made of fine sandstone blocks. It has a unique roof style called a hipped roof. It also features towers with mansard roofs, which are roofs with four sloping sides.
Main Entrance and Clock Tower
Stairs lead up to the main entrance of the building. A small balcony covers this entrance. Above the southern face of the building, there is a statue of Justice. Below the statue, a fan-shaped stone shows the year 1881. A tall central tower rises from the middle of the courthouse. This tower holds a clock with four faces. It also has arched openings with louvers, which are angled slats.
Surrounding Memorials
The courthouse is surrounded by several memorials. These honor soldiers from Guernsey County who served in different wars. You can find memorials for the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm. The most noticeable one is the Civil War Monument.
