Old Todd County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Todd County Courthouse
|
|
 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Elkton, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Built | 1835 |
| Architect | R. Rowland |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000836 |
| Added to NRHP | August 22, 1975 |
The Old Todd County Courthouse was built around 1835 in Elkton, Kentucky. It was the second courthouse in Todd County, Kentucky. The first one was built in the same spot. People started planning the new building in 1834. Construction began in 1835 and was finished in 1836. The bricks used to build it were made right there on the construction site! The local government, called the Fiscal Court, approved building it in November 1834.
Building the Courthouse
The county government decided to pay for the courthouse in three parts. The first payment came from money the sheriff was holding. The rest was paid in two equal parts. The building was designed by someone named "R. Rowland."
Inside the Original Building
The courthouse originally had two big open rooms. One was on the first floor, and the other was on the second floor.
First Floor Courtroom
The first-floor room was the main courtroom. It had a special stand for the judge. There was also a railing that separated the audience from the lawyers. Small rooms hidden behind curved walls were used for juries to discuss cases and for the judge's private office. These curved walls were similar to designs by a famous architect named Robert Mills.
Second Floor and Columns
The second-floor room also had small rooms in its corners. This space was used for the Grand Jury and for community meetings. Two large Doric columns supported the second floor in the lower courtroom. These columns were made from specially shaped bricks. The fancy wooden details around the judge's stand were inspired by a design book called "Country Builder's Assistant" by Asher Benjamin.
Early County Offices
The courthouse itself didn't have county offices at first. Instead, the county built a separate office building called the "Clerk's Office" in 1822. This office was located near the town square.
Construction Stories
Jesse Russell, a mason from Elkton, was in charge of building the courthouse walls. He worked with Commissioner Hazel Petrie. There are two interesting stories about how the walls were built.
The Gold Watch Story
One story says that Jesse Russell hired four brickmasons. Each mason was told to build one wall. The mason who built the best wall would win a gold watch!
The Masonry Challenge
Another story says that Jesse Russell and another brick mason were both very proud of their building skills. To see who was better, each man built a wall. They both bet on themselves, and Russell's wall was the best.
Changes Over Time
The courthouse has changed quite a bit since it was first built.
New Clerk's Office
In 1856, the court decided to build a new Clerk's Office. A new spot was chosen, and the new office was finished by 1860. It cost the county $2,000.
Civil War and Renovations
During the American Civil War, the courthouse was used to house soldiers. It was used so much that it became too damaged for court business. The county courts had to move and use the Masonic Lodge in Elkton instead.
In 1871, the courthouse was renovated. The money for this came from selling the 1860 Clerk's Office. The renovation changed the building to have only one courtroom. It also brought the county Clerk's Offices into the building. The courtroom was moved upstairs, and the Clerk's Offices were set up on the ground floor.
The Clock Tower
The clock tower was added during this renovation. It was built in a style called Second Empire architecture, which was popular during the Victorian era.
Later Restorations
In 1961, city officials decided to paint all the wooden parts and the clock tower white. They did this because they didn't have enough money for other colors. The tower was originally painted in many different colors.
In 1975, during another restoration project, the courthouse was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place.
The Courthouse Today
Over the years, the court needed more space than the old courthouse could provide. So, the court moved to a new location in southern Elkton. The Old Todd County Courthouse still stands in downtown Elkton. It is owned by the county and is currently leased to the City of Elkton.
