Boone County Historical Society
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Courthouses of Boone County
Were you aware that the current Boone County courthouse was the fourth one built?

Artist rendering of the first Boone County courthouse in Lebanon built in 1832. It was a two-story log structure located on the north side of the courthouse square just west of the first jail which is just behind.

Artist rendering of the second Boone County courthouse built in 1839-40. It was a small two-story brick building set in the center of the courthouse square where the current courthouse now stands.
Artist rendering of first Boone County Courthouse built in 1833.
Artist rendering of second Boone County Courthouse built in 1839-40.

The Third Courthouse
Artist rendering
C. late 1800's
C. 1900
August 6, 1909 auction.
A more substantial courthouse of Gothic styled brick with stone trim, was built in 1856-57, and cost $33,000.
The architect was William Tinsley, who designedChrist Church Cathedral on Monument Circle in Indianapolis, and Center Hall at Wabash College in Crawfordsville.

When Lebanon auctioneer Colonel J. B. Henderson shouted “Sold to that gentleman over there,” on the bright Monday morning of August 6, 1909, he had disposed of Boone County’s old brick (3rd) courthouse to George T. Miller, Lebanon contractor and his associate, Adolphus Wysong,a local businessman, for $15.00.
By one o’clock that afternoon, Miller had a force of men at work razing the structure preparatory to readying the site
for the erection of the present courthouse which was completed in late 1911, and dedicated on July 4, 1912.

Although careful to salvage every bit of resalable material, Miller is said to have lost money on the deal.
Local urchins were hired to clean mortar from the bricks for 10¢ per hundred. “It was a dirty, dusty, hand-scaring and back-breaking way of making a buck.” So said Al H. Wynkoop, who was one of Miller’s youthful employees.
Among the dozen or so other “brick-polishers” were Verlin Busby, Hallie Hamilton, Irvin McDonald and Vivian “Red” Stewart.

Much of the debris and rubble, consisting mainly of broken bricks, stone and plastering, was dumped in low spots as fill on lots which
Wysong owned on the West side of Meridian Street and just north of Prairie Creek,
in the Tripps Avenue area.        Written by Ralph Stark

Our Current Courthouse
C. 1912
C. 1925
C. 1946
C. 1986
The fourth and present courthouse was ordered to be built by the county commissioners in 1909 and completed in 1911.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 22, 1986.
CLICK HERE to view the original Signed National Register of Historic Places application containing a detailed description of the courthouse.
Photos depicting construction.
Lifting one of eight limestone columns at the quarry in Stinesville, Indiana
One of eight limestone columns being moved on Main St

The Cornerstone and Time Capsule
Laying of the Cornerstone in 1909
Vice President Fairbanks dedicates the laying of the cornerstone. Lebanon St retail buildings in background
Program for the dedication of the cornerstone.
List of items placed in the time capsule.


 Early Lebanon Businesses and Organizations -

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