Courthouses of Boone County
Were you aware that the current Boone County courthouse was the fourth one built?
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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. |
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The Third Courthouse
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
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
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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.
The Cornerstone and Time Capsule
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Former Langhar-Frank Residence 129 Indianapolis Ave, Lebanon. Built in the summer of 1891 by Fred Langhar and father-in-law Josephus Frank, the house was designed as a double and was occupied by both families. Unfortunately the house was ravaged by a devastating fire on October 18, 2019 and was later demolished. Ralph W. Stark collection |
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