Scott County Courthouse (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Scott County Courthouse
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Southwestern corner
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Market Street at Hill Street, Winchester, Illinois |
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| Built | 1885 |
| Architectural style | Eclectic |
| Part of | Winchester Historic District (ID87000724) |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 1979 |
The Scott County Courthouse is an important government building. It is located in Winchester, which is the main town, or county seat, of Scott County, Illinois, United States. This building was finished in 1885. It is the third courthouse that Scott County has had in its history.
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The Story of Scott County and Winchester
The first people to settle in Scott County arrived in 1820. This was just one year after Native American tribes gave the land to the Americans.
In 1830, two shopkeepers decided to start a new town. They built it near a place called Sandy Creek. One of the shopkeepers named the new town Winchester. He named it after his hometown, Winchester, Kentucky.
How Winchester Became the County Seat
In 1839, the Illinois government created Scott County. It was made from a part of Morgan County. Winchester was chosen to be the county seat. This happened because people in Winchester offered to give land and money. They wanted to help build a courthouse and a jail.
Building the Courthouse
For two years, the new county officials worked in temporary places. Then, the first courthouse was finished. This building was made of brick and had two stories. It was used for 44 years.
In 1885, county officials chose a company from St. Louis to design a new courthouse. This company was called James Stewart. William Buckingham was the main builder for the project. When the new building was finished, it had cost Scott County about $35,500. The courthouse is a two-story building made of brick. It sits on a strong stone base.
A Unique Design
The Scott County Courthouse does not follow just one architectural style. Instead, it mixes parts from many different styles. This is called eclectic design. In fact, in 1977, a report said the courthouse was "so uniquely eclectic as to defy categorization." This means it was very hard to put it into one style group.
The corners of the building have square sections. Each of these sections has one rounded window on each floor. The other parts of the building's sides have many similar windows placed close together. A stone band, called a stringcourse, runs around the building. This band makes the two stories look separate.
The Cool Clock Tower
Above the main entrance, there is a three-story tower. This tower has a special onion dome on top. An onion dome is shaped like an onion. In 1917, the county changed the tower. They added a clock to it, making it a clock tower.
A Historic Landmark
In 1979, a large part of Winchester was named a historic district. This area is called the Winchester Historic District. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse is the biggest building in this historic area. It is also one of the most important buildings that helps make the district special.
