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Moultrie County Courthouse facts for kids

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Moultrie County Courthouse
Moultrie County Courthouse, western side from south.jpg
View from the west
Moultrie County Courthouse is located in Illinois
Moultrie County Courthouse
Location in Illinois
Moultrie County Courthouse is located in the United States
Moultrie County Courthouse
Location in the United States
Location 10 S. Main St., Sullivan, Illinois
Area less than one acre
Built by H.B. Walters
Architect Deal & Ginzel
Architectural style Classical Revival
NRHP reference No. 95000489
Added to NRHP April 20, 1995

The Moultrie County Courthouse is the only site in Moultrie County, Illinois that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located in the county seat of Sullivan, the courthouse has been listed since 1995.

History

Earlier courthouses

Moultrie County, Illinois was first settled around 1820. By 1842, local residents wanted a more local representation in government. That Fall, residents presented a petition to the state government to form a new county out of parts of Shelby and Coles Counties. The county was officially formed on February 16, 1843; it was named after Col. William Moultrie. East Nelson was chosen as the first county seat, but residents could not agree on a suitable location for the courthouse. The county held a second election for county seat and Asa's Point, which would thenceforth be known as Sullivan, was chosen as the site. The first courthouse was built in 1847. It was destroyed in a fire on November 25, 1864. The next year, plans were made for a new courthouse, built with local materials. It was completed in 1866.

Present courthouse

By 1904, the courthouse was deemed too small for county needs and plans for a new courthouse were approved. Deal & Ginsel were selected as architects and H. B. Walters of Danville, Illinois was appointed contractor. Work started some time between August and December 1904 and the courthouse was completed on August 6, 1906. Since its completion, the building has housed functions of county government. Its Circuit Courtroom has been a popular location for community functions because of its large size. From about 1907 to 1930, the courthouse was home to the Moultrie County Farmers' Institute, a popular three-day educational meeting co-sponsored by the University of Illinois College of Agriculture. The most noteworthy trial to take place was the embezzlement trial of Jimmy Steel and Z. B. Whitfield of the Merchants & Farmers State Bank in 1921. On April 20, 1995, the building was recognized by the National Park Service with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

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