Between 2014 and 2017, I set out to visit every historic courthouse in Indiana. In fits and starts, I actually pulled it off! Courthouses became my calling card for a while and, ever since, people have asked me the same question: “Which one’s your favorite?” It’s tough to answer, but after revisiting my notes and memories, I’ve finally narrowed the list down to my top five. At least I think I have- for now.
5: Kosciusko County- Warsaw
Kosciusko is the twentieth-largest county in the state by population. Designed by T.J. Tolan & Son and completed in 1882 for $198,000, its courthouse features Neoclassical and Second Empire stylings. The grand old building is a near mirror of the lost courthouse in my hometown of Muncie, and its clock tower rises 162 feet above downtown Warsaw.
4: Wells County- Bluffton
Wells County ranks fifty-fifth out of Indiana’s ninety-two counties in terms of population. George Bunting’s neoclassical courthouse was completed in 1891 for $120,000. The corner tower rises about a hundred feet from the ground, and it’s visible from nearly everywhere in Bluffton. The building is impressive from afar, but its intricate details really begin to speak the closer you get.
3: LaPorte County- LaPorte
LaPorte County sits near “The Region,” the part of northwestern Indiana that borders Chicago. As a result, it’s the sixteenth-most-populated county in Indiana. Brentwood Tolan’s Richardson Romanesque courthouse stands in the middle of downtown LaPorte, completed in 1892 for $328,000. Its open maw of a clock tower reaches a peak of 172 feet, which is enough to make it Indiana’s tenth-tallest.
2: Allen County- Fort Wayne
The Allen County Courthouse is, in my view, a national treasure on par with many state capitols. In fact, it’s taller than thirty of them! Designed by Brentwood Tolan, the Beaux Arts landmark stretches 239 feet into the sky and cost $817,000 when it was completed in 1902. I’ve had several chances to explore the courthouse over the years, including when it was being restored around 2002 and again during an open house sixteen years later. The amount of money poured into the building makes it peerless, but it’s not quite my favorite.
1: Blackford County- Hartford City
Hartford City sits one county seat north of me. I’ve passed its Blackford County Courthouse hundreds of times over the years, but it never fails to impress- especially since the county ranks eighty-fifth in terms of population! Built in 1894, Labelle & French’s Richardson Romanesque courthouse is 165 feet tall and cost $130,000. It towers over downtown Hartford City like no other courthouse I’ve seen, and it recently received a new copper roof.
Indiana is packed with incredible old courthouses. Narrowing down my favorites feels a bit like picking a favorite child, but I gave it a shot. Each courthouse stuck with me for a reason, and I’ll be sure to revisit this list next year to see if my preferences have changed. What’s your favorite?
There are no wrong answers here. OK, except for Marion County. 🥴
I’d add Crawford to the list, too!
What’s yours?
Off the top of my head, I really like both Boone and Tippecanoe Counties, but I think Allen is in a class by itself.
Tippecanoe should have probably made my list. Maybe once I update it! The old one in Evansville would have too.
I have a post of some crappy iPhone shots taken inside Allen County’s coming up relatively soon.
Agree that Allen stands alone, but I am also impressed by Hancock’s every time I go through Greenfield.
That’s one of the few I’ve actually been inside. It narrowly missed out! Top ten, for sure.
My top 5 in ascending order, Tippecanoe, Rush, Kosciusko, Vigo, Vanderburgh
That’s a great list!