Allen County Courthouse (Ohio)

Infobox_nrhp | name =Allen County Courthouse
nrhp_type =

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caption = Allen County Courthouse Main Entrance
location= Lima, Ohio
lat_degrees = 40
lat_minutes = 44
lat_seconds = 34
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 84
long_minutes = 6
long_seconds = 20
long_direction = W
locmapin = Ohio
area =
built =1881
architect= George H. Maetzel
architecture= Second Empire
added = July 24, 1974
governing_body = Local
refnum=74001392cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The Allen County Courthouse is an historic courthouse building located at the corner of North Main Street & East North Street in Lima, Ohio. It was built between 1881-1884 at a cost of $360,000. Architect George H. Maetzel, designed it in the Second Empire style.

On July 24, 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

History

The courthouse standing today is the county's third. The stone foundation is smooth sandstone. The ground floor has recessed rectangular windows. The southern center pavilion projects from the facade and is flanked by mansard-roofed towers which used to toped with windows. A statue of an eagle once topped the pediment.

The main entrance is reached by a flight of stairs and a small landing leading to a story arch. The windows of the main floor are high rectangular panels, the windows on the floor above are high arched panes. Above the main entrance rises a pediment that was once topped by the statue of Justice.

The tower rises above the roof and consists of two bases stacked one on top the other. A dome with a four faced clock sits on the base. The dome narrows to a small spire.

In the 1990s the courthouse was remodeled and updated. At this time the new Justice Center was built next door. The two buildings are connected by an overhead walkway. The new addition was constructed in the same colors to match the courthouse and houses a jail, several courtrooms and the sheriff's administrative offices.

References

*County Courthouses of Ohio by Susan W. Thrane