Pike County Courthouse (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pike County Courthouse
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U.S. Historic district
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Southern facade
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 100 E. Washington Street, Pittsfield, Illinois |
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| Built | 1895 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Pittsfield Historic District (ID80001404) |
| Added to NRHP | June 4, 1980 |
The Pike County Courthouse is a special government building in Pittsfield, Illinois. This town is the main center for Pike County, Illinois. The courthouse was finished in 1895. It is the fifth building used as a courthouse in the county's history.
Starting Pike County's Government
Pike County's first settler was Ebenezer Franklin. He built a small cabin in early 1820. This was near where the town of Atlas, Illinois would later be. More people soon moved to the area. By 1829, Atlas was the only planned town in Pike County.
Because many people were moving to this area, the government decided to create Pike County in 1821. The first county seat, or main town, was a place called Coles Grove. This area is now part of Calhoun County, Illinois.
Early Courthouses: A Growing Need
The very first Pike County Courthouse was finished in mid-1821. It was a small building made of logs, about 16 by 18 feet. The county paid $32 for it.
Even though they had a new building, officials soon wanted to move. In 1823, Atlas was chosen to be the new main town. The official move happened in 1824. A new courthouse was built in Atlas by the end of that year. This was also a temporary log building.
As the county grew, officials needed a bigger place. In 1826, they planned a much better building. But this plan was too big, and the building was never built. County offices then worked out of rented rooms.
Their second try at a new courthouse was better. It was ordered in early 1829. By September, the county had paid about $1,800 for its new building. This one was 36 by 24 feet and had two stories.
Even with this new building, people living far from Atlas wanted the county seat moved. In 1833, it moved to a new place called "Pittsfield". The first courthouse in Pittsfield was a wooden building. It was built in 1833 near the town square. But by 1836, officials wanted another new building. When it was finished in 1839, the county had spent $15,000. It was one of the grandest courthouses in the area. The old wooden courthouse was then used for businesses.
The Current Pike County Courthouse
Pike County's current courthouse was built in 1894 and 1895. The architect, Henry Elliott, also designed the Edgar County Courthouse. That building looks very similar.
The outside of the courthouse has twenty-four sides. It looks like an octagon, which is an eight-sided shape. It measures about 110 by 119 feet. It has parts that go inward in the middle of its four long sides. The building is made of rough-cut stone. It is two and a half stories tall. Stone bands separate the different levels.
Rectangular windows are on each side. They are grouped in sets of three or five. The shortest walls have fewer windows. Small pointed windows are above many of the rectangular ones. These windows give the building a Gothic Revival style. This style often uses pointed arches and tall windows. A tall tower, 136 feet high, sits in the center of the roof. Inside, the building has a large open space called a lightwell. This lets natural light into the middle of the building.
The area around the courthouse has not changed much since World War I. The courthouse is still the most important building in downtown Pittsfield. It is a key part of the Pittsfield Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.
