Belmont County Courthouse

Infobox Historic building
name = Belmont County Courthouse


caption = Belmont County Courthouse in 1891
map_type =
latitude =
longitude =
location_town = St. Clairsville, Ohio
location_country = United States
architect = Joseph W. Yost |client = Belmont County
engineer = Builder: |construction_start_date = 1885
completion_date = 1888
date_demolished =
cost = $
structural_system = Richardsonian Romanesque, Beaux-Arts architecture
style =
size = The Belmont County Courthouse is located at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio. It sits on the highest point in the growing St. Clairsville area and commands an incredible view of the Ohio Valley, including its life blood, Interstate 70.

Construction

Built between 1885-1888, the Belmont County Courthouse was designed by noted Ohio (and later New York) architect, Joseph W. Yost, who also designed the similar Miami County Courthouse built at the same time in Troy. The three floor building hosts many county functions such as three courtrooms, the county commission meeting room, as well as offices for county officials.

Exterior

The building has high arched windows, Cornthian columns supporting the outthrust corners and main entrance. The stairs once led to the main entrance, but due to security measures the building is now entered through a tunnel under the stairs. The central pediment rests on an arch supported by Corinthian columns. Standing guard over the entrance is a statue of Justice. The corners of the building thrust out and support a pediment, on top of each rests a tower crowned with an urn.

A central tower rises from the middle of the building supporting the clock tower and dome. A steel bell weighing 3,800 lbs once hung from the tower but was taken down during restoration and now rests in front of the courthouse. It rang continuouly for an hour in 1945 to celebrate the end of World War II.

Grounds

A memorial stands to the right of the building in honor of the veterans who served in the various wars. A brick building to the right used to house local government, but now houses one of many Sheriff's Posts.

Interior

The interior first floor corridors are lined in tile mosaic forming geometric shapes. the courtrooms and county offices have been refitted with modern conveniences, like an elevator, central air and heating, as well as weather-proof windows. A new metal detector purchased on a state grant protects the many county employees within.

The second floor used to be the main floor and shows evidence of this past. In the atrium is an information desk, staffed during business hours. The deed office is located down the hall.

The third floor contains the since covered dome, now illuminated by surrounding lights. This floor also houses the courtrooms. When the courthouse first opened there were three courtrooms, but the thirs has since been converted into the county law library.

An attic above cannot be easily accessed and houses the old bell tower and the protruding hump of the dome. The attic has since been turned into file storage for the expanding court records.

Courthouse Annexes

There are three courthouse annexes, as follows
* St. Clairsville: 147 West Main Street in St. Clairsville, west of the main complex. This building houses the offices of the prosecuting attorney (Christopher Berhalter) and the Western Division Court, Judge Harry W. White presiding.
* Bellaire: 400 West 26th Street, Suite 100
*Martins Ferry: 401 Walnut Street.

References

Further reading

*"County Courthouses of Ohio" by Susan W. Thrane
*"County Records of Belmont County, Ohio" Belmont County, Ohio

External links

* [http://www.belmontcountyohio.org BelmontCounty Official Site]
* [http://www.capitolimpact.com/gw/judlist.asp?state=oh&stname=Ohio&stfips=39&list=39013&Title=Belmont%20County Courts in Belmont County]