Holmes County Courthouse (Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Holmes County Courthouse And Jail
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Courthouse viewed from corner of Monroe and Jackson
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Courthouse Sq., Millersburg, Ohio |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1880 |
| Architect | J.W. Yost; Hibbert and Schaus |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001529 |
| Added to NRHP | July 25, 1974 |
The Holmes County Courthouse is an old and important government building in Millersburg, Ohio. It was built a long time ago, in the late 1800s. This building is considered a special historic place because of its cool design.
History of the Courthouse
Holmes County was officially started in 1825. Since then, it has had three courthouses, all built in the same spot in Millersburg.
The very first courthouse was built in 1825. Sadly, it only lasted nine years before a fire destroyed it. A new courthouse was built to replace it. This second building stood for about 50 years. Around 1884, it was taken down to make room for the courthouse we see today. The current building started being built in 1884 and was finished in 1886.
Design of the Courthouse
The Holmes County Courthouse was designed by J.W. Yost. It was built by Hibbert and Schaus from Newark. This building has three stories. It features rough stone walls with smooth decorative parts.
At the main entrance, there is a porch with tall Ionic columns. On the north side, there is a large triangular section called a pediment. Until the 1950s, a statue of Lady Justice stood on top of this pediment. Lady Justice is a symbol of fairness and law. When the statue started to wear out, it was stored away. Later, local lawyers paid to have it fixed and brought back.
Inside the courthouse, you can see other cool design elements. There are steel details and decorative columns. The ceilings are plastered, and in the lobby, there is a tiled floor with another statue of Lady Justice in the middle. The building also has towers on its corners, and one tower holds a large clock.
Today, the Holmes County Courthouse is still the main center for government in the county. The courtrooms inside are used by the Holmes County Court of Common Pleas and other courts. Because many Amish people live in the county, the courthouse even has a special parking area just for horses and buggies!
Historic Importance
Next to the courthouse, there is also an old jail building. This jail was built around 1880, even before the current courthouse. It is a rectangular brick building with a unique roof design.
In 1974, both the courthouse and the jail were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historic places because of their special architecture. Ten years later, a large part of downtown Millersburg became a historic district. This area is called the Millersburg Historic District. The courthouse area, where Clay and Jackson Streets meet, is at the very heart of this historic district.
Images for kids
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Courthouse viewed from corner of Monroe and Jackson
