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Wayne County Courthouse (1831-1878)
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About
- Name
- Wayne County Courthouse (1831-1878)
- Public Administration
- Justice / Police order / and Safety
- Services
- Court House
Facts
- Founded
- Date unknown
Wooster,Ohio
Related
- Parent organizations
Key Persons
Location
- Start date: 1831
- Opened date: 1833
- Demolition date: 1878
The second courthouse was built between 1831 and 1833 on the site of the first courthouse (Wayne County Courthouse (1818-1829)) at a cost of $7,200. Designed by an architect named John McCurdy, it was a square brick structure two stories tall with arched door openings, six-over-six window sash with shutters, and a central bell tower topped by a dome and high spire. The roof of the structure was covered with lead. In its day, it was considered to be one of the most architecturally outstanding courthouses in the state.
Decorating the spire were an iron weathervane and two balls that were made of copper. The copper balls were gilded and bronzed. Crafted by John Babb of Wooster at a combined cost of $16.00, the large ball was 24 gallons and 3 quarts in size, while the smaller one was 1 1/2 gallons.
The interior of the this courthouse was described as follows:
The halls of Justice / Police order / and Safety are not remarkably spacious in Wayne County. The court room, in its general appearance and appointments, has an antiquated look which contrasts strongly with the commodious, and pleasant county offices in the next building. Approaching the entrance with a due sense of respect for the imposing dignities of the law, as we enter the outer door we are confronted by what may be called a skeleton door, across which is stretched a government blanket or similar fabric, intended to prevent noise in shutting, and also the escape of heat, or (if you like it better) the egress of pure air. At a convenient peeking distance from the floor there is a small hole in the aforesaid blanket or carpet, for inquisitive and strategic purposes. That hole has a history, no doubt. Through it the wary and circumspect can take important observations, unobserved, and get a bird-eye view of the interior. The door yields before a slight pressure of one hand, as you respectfully remove your hat with the other and closes noiselessly behind you of its own accord. We are now within the charmed circle. On the right are four or five elevated rows of benches, constructed with the least possible reference to the human anatomy, and as inexorable in their requirements as the iron bed of Procrustes. On the left , ditto. Just in front, on each side of the aisle, are two columns upon which seem to have been lavished all the artistic and architectural skill of the builder. Just why these pillars should monopolize all the aesthetic efforts of the architect, is beyond comprehension, unless, indeed, it be with the intent of impressing the beholder with a becoming sense of the majesty, stability and imposing proportions of the eternal "pillars of justice". Placards affixed to these columns tell us that the seats "within the enclosure" (just ahead) are for members of the bar. A similar lack of regard for convenience and comfort, to say nothing of taste, prevails within the enclosure. It is not half large enough to properly accommodate the profession, and what space there is, is much encumbered. On one side a large egg-shaped stove almost roasts those who must sit near it, or else stubbornly refuses to comfort those more remote. The Bench itself is a very angular, severe and prosaic affair, devoid of pleasant proportions or comely outline. On one end of it is a small case of pigeon-holes, and this, as well as a portion of the Bench itself is usually made the repository for hats, caps, etc. Taken all and all, the whole structure is behind the times, behind the requirements of the county, and far, far behind a reasonable adaptation to the wants of the able judiciary and counsel who are compelled to spend so much of their time in it.[1]
The structure was condemned in 1877 after 44 years of service due to rotting timbers and "defective walls."[2]
Quick Facts
- 1831-1833 - Second courthouse was built.
- 1856 - A county-wide vote to replace the 2nd courthouse was defeated.
- 1877 - The 2nd courthouse was condemned and deemed unsafe for use and was demolished.
Historical documents
Source: Wayne County Commissioners Record, Book D, pages 72-75
At a special meeting of the Commissioners held on January 28, 1830 a contract for the building of a new Court House in the town of Wooster, Ohio was entered:
Article of an agreement made and entered into between Stephen Coe, Jacob Ihrig, and George Wellhouse, Commissioners of Wayne County, Ohio, and their successors in office of the first part, and John McCurdy of the second part, witnesseth that the said John McCurdy agrees and obligates to build a Court House in the town of Wooster, to be set on such part of hte Public Square as said Commissioners may designate, of the following dimensions, to-wit:
Size to be 42 by 47 feet from out to out. Foundation to be of good sandstone, three feet thick, and sunk 2 feet below the surface and raised 2feet above the surface, which last 2 feet is to be of hewn or cut stone around the whole building, the foundation of each column to be the same height and connected with the foundation of the house, with a tier of water table to be of cut stone from 4 to 6 inches thick to extend round the whole building.
Door sills to be of cut stone the same thickness of the water table with steps of cut stone to each door.
Walls to be of brick, the first 16 feet to be 20 inches thick and the remaining 15 feet to be 16 inches thick, to be laid in a good cement of lime and sand with a recess of 4inches around each door and window below; and an arch over each.
To have 22 windows of 24 lights each, of 11 by 15 glass, with caps and sills of cut stone not less than 10 inches wide, the jamb s to be wood not less than 2 inches thick, the stools not less than 5 inches thick; the sash to be of pine or white walnut not less than 1 1/2 inches thick, each window to have Venetian blinds not less than 1 1/2 inches thick with good substantial fastenings.
The two front doors to be double; 5 feet wide, 8 1/2 feet high, 2 inches thick, with sunk panels on each side, with an elliptic arched window over each the jambs; front of the arches and keystones to be of cut stone not less than 6 inches thick and the necessary width; the two back doors to be 3 feet wide and 7 feet high; to be paneled not less than 1 3/4 inches thick; the jambs to be of wood not less than 2 inches thick; the caps and sills to be of cut stone the necessary width and thickness.
The doors and windows below to have double architraves, the doors and windows above to have single architraves agreeable to the Ionic order of the architecture; all doors and windows to be hung with good substantial hinges, and the necessary locks, bolts, latches, fastenings, etc., to each.
The lower floor to be laid with tile in sand, that part within the Bar to be laid on top of the tile with good white oak board not less than 1 1/4 inches thick, and not to exceed 5 inches in width, and raised not less than 6 inches in width; the whole to be ploughed and grooved in a workman like manner.
The jury box and spectators' seats to be of good stuff not less than 1 1/4 inches thick, the backs to be paneled, and raised not less than 5 inches one above the other.
To be a recess in the partition back of the Judge's seat with an elliptic arch over the same, to be ornamented with pilaster or columns and a moulding in an elegant manner. The Judge's and Clerk's desks, seats, etc., to be finished in a manner after the order, and not inferior to those in the Court House at Ravenna, Portage County.
Partition below to be five feet cut off the north end of the building by a stud partition in which is to be carried up 2 flight of stairs, in a strong, substantial manner; the tread of which is to be laid with brick; to be 2 panel doors 3 feet wide and 7 feet high in said partition; the partition enclosing the Bar to be 4 feet high, 2 feet of the lower part to be panel work; 2 feet of the upper part to be turned banisters made sufficiently strong, with a seat round the same in the inside, with a door in the centre of the same order.
Two girders to extend through the building from north to south, and one from east to west of a sufficient size, the lst mentioned one to be directly over, and supported by the studs in the aforesaid partition, and such other columns as may be necessary; also to be two fitted Ionic columns with cape to stand in the court room to support said girders.
The joist to be 12 inches wide and 3 inches thick, and placed not more than 20 inches from center to center.
The upper story to be divided into 6 rooms by stud partitions with a panel door of the usual size to each; with a base and surbase around each.
To have a passage or entry through the building from North to South, of 8 feet wide.
To be 8 columns; 4 on the South and 4 on the East front, to be of brick proportioned according to the Ionic order of Asher Benjamin's Architecture, the base of each to be of the order and not inferior to these of the Ravenna Court House; the caps to be of white walnut and of the Ionic order; the columns to be plastered with a good cement of water-lime.
The entablature or cornice to be of and proportioned agreeable to the aforesaid order of architecture with a balustrade above to extend round the whole building, proportioned agreeably to the aforesaid order: the posts of the balustrade to be supported by sufficient iron bolts extending from the main plate that supports the eave of the roof up above the roof round each bolt to be well secured with sheet lead, so as to prevent water from penetrating, with a win on each post; the banisters of the balustrade to be turned and the whole to be of white walnut; the entablature and balustrade to project out on each front a sufficient distance to rest on the columns, or at least three feet of the post of the balustrade to be supported by sufficient iron brace extending back to the roof.
The roof to be what is called a hipped roof to consist of a sufficient quantity of sound substantial timbers, irons, etc., and framed in the best plan or manner it can be; and sufficient to support itself, cupola and girders and joist on the upper part of the building.
The cupola to be framed and connected with the roof in a proper and substantial manner, and be of the order, and finished in the manner and not inferior to that in the Ravenna Court House; the dome to be covered with tin in the same manner.
To have a spire of a sufficient size, with a copper ball thereon not less than 22 inches in diameter, to be covered with gold-leaf, also to have a vane; the spire to be at least 12 feet high, with a lightning rod to extend from the lower end of the spire to the ground in a proper direction.
To have a balustrade or railing around the base of the cupola, to stand on the bell-deck; the railing or balustrade to extend out three feet from the cupola exclusive of the angles; the floor of the deck to be of white walnut plank at least 1 1/2 inches thick, well seasoned and jointed together with a good paint in the joints so as to prevent its leaking.
The roof to be shingled with good pine shingles at least 3/4 of an inch thick, 18 inches long, not to shore more than 5 inches to the weather; the shingles to extend up under the bell-deck to the cupola; the hips or corners to be covered with sheet lead not less than 6 inches wide.
All the materials to be of a good quality; those that may be necessary, to be well seasoned, and every piece and part of the work to be done in a good substantial and workmanlike manner and agreeable to the plan furnished by the Commissioners; the shell to be finished by the 25th day of December next, and the whole job to be finished by the 25 the day of December, 1831.
In consideration of which the said party of the first part agrees and engages to pay the said party of the second part the sum of FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR DOLLARS in the following manner to and upon the following conditions, to-wit:
The sum of seven hundred dollars by the first day of April next; eighteen hundred dollars by the 25th day of December next, in case the shell of the house shall be completed by that time, and the remaining balance of nineteen hundred and forty-four dollars by the 25th day of December, A. D. 1831, in case the whole job is completed by that time; the party of the first part reserving the privilege of making any alteration from the aforesaid plan or description that they may think proper, by making a reasonable allowance for any increase of expense, or deducting for any decrease of expense.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the date above written.
Stephen Coe, Jacob Ihrig, George Wellhouse, John McCurdy. Attest: J. Smith, J. M. Cooper.
Newspaper articles
History of 2nd Wa. Co. Courthouse. Source Wooster Weekly Republican 1878-APR-11 p.3
