Vigo County Courthouse Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Vigo County Courthouse

General information
Architectural style	Second Empire
Address	33 So.3rd St
Town or city	Terre Haute, Indiana
Country	United States
Coordinates	39°27′57″N 87°24′52″W / 39.46583°N 87.41444°W / 39.46583; -87.41444
Elevation	506 feet above sea level
Construction started	August 1884
Completed	1888
Inaugurated	June 7, 1888
Cost	$443,000 at original completion
Owner	Vigo County, Indiana
Height	284 feet
Dimensions
Diameter	226 feet (NS) and 277 feet (EW)
Design and construction
Architect	Samuel Hannaford

Vigo County Courthouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Area	74,515 square feet
NRHP reference No.	83000160
Added to NRHP	June 30, 1983

Main contractor	Terre Haute Stone Co.

The Vigo County Courthouse is an important building in Terre Haute, Indiana. It is where the local government for Vigo County does its work. This courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 because of its historical value.

First Vigo County Courthouse
Current Vigo County Courthouse
- Designing and Building the New Structure
Gallery
See also

First Vigo County Courthouse

Early Days and Temporary Location

Vigo County was created in 1818. That same year, work started on the county's very first courthouse. Before the new building was ready, county meetings were held at a place called the Eagle and Lion Tavern. This tavern was on the corner of Wabash Avenue and Second Street.

Building the First Courthouse

The original Vigo County Courthouse, used from 1818 to 1866.

Records show that people started working on the courthouse in 1818. It took a few years to finish, and the building was completed in 1822.

This first courthouse was made of brick. Inside, it had special elevated seats and steps. A main walkway went through the middle of the building. One side was for seating, and the other was for the court. This included a place for the judge, lawyers, and the jury.

A Hub for the Community

Once the first floor was ready in 1822, the courthouse became a very busy place. It was used for:

Court cases
Political meetings
Elections
Public town meetings
Lectures and sermons

In the mid-1830s, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon held meetings there. They spoke about the new Latter Day Saint movement. Later, in the 1850s, George Washington Julian gave a speech about ending slavery. An angry crowd tried to stop him, but they eventually left. Many famous lawyers started their careers at this courthouse.

Colonel Francis Vigo's Gift

On July 4, 1832, Colonel Francis Vigo visited Terre Haute. He was the person Vigo County was named after. He was so impressed by the city that he left money in his will for the courthouse. He wanted $500 to be used to buy a bell for the building. He asked for the bell to say, "Presented by Francis Vigo."

Why a New Courthouse Was Needed

The first courthouse was used until 1866. By 1868, it was in bad shape and declared unsafe. So, a temporary courthouse was set up in another brick building. This temporary place was used for 22 years! People thought the old courthouse would be fixed, but it never happened. Building a new courthouse was delayed because of disagreements. In 1871, people voted against building a new one at that time.

Current Vigo County Courthouse

Designing and Building the New Structure

The Vigo County Courthouse, around 1894.

The courthouse you see today is built in the Second Empire style. It was designed by an architect named Samuel Hannaford from Cincinnati.

Work on the current building started on August 28, 1884. A very heavy cornerstone, weighing 10,000 pounds, was laid. Many people attended this event, including members of the Freemasons.

The Terre Haute Stone Company built the courthouse. It cost $443,000. The building is made from Indiana limestone, which came from quarries in Stinesville, Indiana. The metal work, like the roof, dome, and windows, was done by Phoenix Foundry and Machine Works.

Inside, the main floor had offices. The second floor had two large courtrooms with high ceilings. The building was heated by steam from a separate building. It even had an elevator!

Following Colonel Francis Vigo's wishes, a two-ton bell was made in 1887. It cost $2,500, and part of the money came from Vigo's will. The courthouse was officially opened on June 7, 1888.

This courthouse looks similar to the Vanderburgh County Courthouse. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.