EveryMuseum.com - Auglaize County Court House

Auglaize County Court House ~ Built in 1894, it is a well preserved example of elegant 19th century architecture, containing many of its original furnishings.

In the spring of 1893 it was determined that a new courthouse would be erected for Auglaize County. Julius Kremer, of the firm Kremer and Hart of Columbus, Ohio, was chosen as architect for the project. E.M. Campfield & Co., from Findlay, Ohio, was awarded the construction contract for the sum of $102,536.00. Eighty-five men, at a wage of $1.50 per day, were hired the first month. An entire city block was purchased for the new building. Construction began on July 2, 1893 and was completed in early December of 1894. The total cost including real estate, construction, furnishings, fixtures, and the power house was $259,481.00.

The structure was a massive one. Built entirely of Berea sandstone with tile flooring, it was nearly fire-proof as was possible to construct a building at that time. In the powerhouse, on the southwest corner of the courthouse site, were located the electric dynamo which provided the power to light the entire building from basement to dome and the boilers that furnished the steam heat for the building.

For more than a century, this courthouse has well served the citizens of Auglaize County. It has been the place where we have come to register our complaints, to see that justice is done, to pay our taxes, to settle our lawsuits, to purchase our marriage licenses, to review our deeds, to record our deaths, and to do so many other routine activities of a free people. Since 1894, its rooms and hallways have witnessed great happiness and sorrow. It still stands today, dignified and solemn, continuing to serve as a source of pride for the people of Auglaize County.