As a fan of historic architecture, it’s always a thrill to visit a new courthouse. Each tells its own story, shaped by the era of its construction and the materials unique to its region. Michigan’s Ionia County Courthouse is a perfect example. Nestled just east of Grand Rapids, it’s the largest structure ever built of Ionia sandstone!
Samuel Dexter founded Ionia as Washington Center in 18331. The village was rechristened Ionia County Seat in 1837 when that title was bestowed upon it. The city and county take their names from an ancient region off the coast of what’s now Turkey2.
A small county office was built in 18433. Unfortunately, it took nearly fifty years to build a proper courthouse thanks to the communities of Lyon and Portage, which had narrowly lost the county seat title and disagreed with how things had shaken out in favor of Ionia. Because of that, the county’s first trials were conducted in a schoolhouse. Later, courts were moved to a general store. Avel Avery provided rooms for county business from 1845 to 1850. Next, the county rented Smith’s Hall, then Dr. Bayard’s Hall, before moving to the local armory4.
Voters finally approved appropriating $45,000 for a new courthouse in 18835. Officials chose the prominent architect David W. Gibbs to draw plans for it. In Ohio, Gibbs was responsible for courthouses in Marion, Marysville, Napoleon, and Washington Court House. In Michigan, he designed the Eaton County Courthouse nearby. Despite the grandeur of his county buildings, though, Gibbs’ crowning achievement was the 146-foot-tall Wyoming State Capitol completed in 1917.
David Gibbs was a fascinating figure. After completing his Midwestern courthouses, he joined the Oklahoma Land Run and ventured into the uncharted Indian Territory. As one of 10,000 homesteaders in what’s now Oklahoma City, Gibbs opened a popular ice cream parlor and quickly became a prominent local figure. In 1890, he chaired the board responsible for organizing Oklahoma City’s first election. Today, he’s celebrated as the city’s fourth mayor!
Gibbs turned in his plans for the courthouse in the summer of 1883 and work soon began. Unfortunately, the construction process was anything but straightforward. The contractor, Clare Allen, went bankrupt, then the county supervisor, Chauncey Waterbury, lost his seat6. Waterbury remained on the courthouse project as chairman and manager7, but cost overruns nearly doubled the building’s expense. Thanks to the boondoggle, contractors engraved the words “Waterbury’s white elephant” over the southern entrance of the courthouse8.
Despite the challenges, the Ionia County Courthouse still stands as one of Gibbs’ masterpieces nearly 150 years after it was completed. The three-story structure dominates the center of Ionia. Its exterior is crafted from Ionia sandstone over sturdy brick walls, while the steps and piers are made of Ohio Bluestone. The front portico’s gable is adorned with details including Michigan’s coat of arms, grape leaves, cannonballs, and thirteen stars. At one time, a majestic eagle with a twelve-foot wingspan stood perched atop it!
As always, my favorite feature is the building’s clock tower. Featuring an open belfry, the tripled-tiered structure is capped by a wood-frame dome clad in galvanized iron. Including its statue of Lady Justice, the tower rises 120 feet over downtown. Unusually, only its north and south faces feature clocks. The southern one was added in 20009.
The courthouse has been modified significantly over the years. Telephones were installed in 1888, and the building received electrical service in 1920. Sometime in the fifties, officials voted to remove the clock tower after a prank went awry. That never ends well! Fortunately, the decision was quickly reversed.
Still, the venerable building has seen even more changes. A boiler came in 1956, and the dome’s skylight was covered twenty years later after the fire marshal raised concerns. In the early 1980s, workers uncovered a large mural above the building’s marble staircase. Originally painted by Frank Selzer of Grand Rapids, it was restored by artist Suzanne Grieves10.
In 1994, the courthouse underwent a $140,000 renovation that removed lead paint, sealed the structure, and restored its grand staircase11. However, that project pales in comparison to the major expansion underway during my visit that significantly altered the building’s footprint. In 2017, work started on a four-level addition to the west of the courthouse. Its white stone and brick compliments the original structure, even if its scale does not12.
Of course, I’ve seen worse modern additions to historic courthouses. Some expansions are so jarring they feel almost defiant! The Ionia County Courthouse in Michigan isn’t like that. Today, it stands as an example of how even historic buildings must adapt. The sandstone façade, soaring dome, and detailed gable remind us of the grandeur of the past, while the expansions point to a future where functionality and history coexist.
TL;DR
Ionia County (pop. 65,688, 30/83)
Ionia (pop. 12,249)
16/83 photographed
Built: 1886
Cost: $70,000 (about $2.3 million today)
Architect: David W. Gibbs
Style: Renaissance Revival
Courthouse Square: Shelbyville
Height: 120 feet
Current Use: County courts and offices
Photographed: 4/29/2018
Sources Cited
1 Cole, M. (1974). Michigan’s Courthouses Old And New. Maurice Cole [Oakland County]. Book. 2 Gannett, H. (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office [Washington, D.C.]. Book.
3 Deacon, J. “Ionia County”. American Courthouses. 2008. Web. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
4 Fedynsky, J. (2010). Michigan’s County Courthouses. The University of Michigan Press [Ann Arbor]. book.
5 (See footnote 1).
6 (See footnote 3).
7 (See footnote 2).
8 (See footnote 3).
9 (See footnote 4).
10 Ellison, G. (2011, November 7). Ionia County Courthouse stands as witness to history. MLive [Grand Rapids]. Web. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
11 (See footnote 4).
12 Bota, K. (2017, June 1). Ionia County Courthouse addition on track. The Ionia Sentinel-Standard. Web. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
