Very appreciative of the security provided here and thankful that no weapons (including cell…read morephones) are allowed inside. The area surrounding the location was littered the last time I visited there, so I'll probably be going back to assist with some form of clean up.

Romanesque-Revival style, the Edgar County Courthouse looks like a fancy wedding cake. It was…read moredesigned by architect Henry Eliot of Chicago and was constructed from 1891 to 1893. At the top is a galvanized steel and zinc sheet metal-clad, tiered bell and clock tower topped with a copper dome. The tower and dome are topped by a "Lady Justice" statue. The courthouse's exterior has four main sides and four entrances situated between each adjacent pair of sides. Each side includes two towers at each end and a central section with a tall gable. It's a stunning structure located at the center of Paris. Don't miss out on this and if you're able to do a tour, please do! [Review 1288 of 2024 - 215 in Illinois - 22311 overall]

This is just a review of the exterior, we were trying to hit a few sites on the drive home from…read moreSpringfield and had been inspired by all the Lincoln sites, so why not stop for dinner in Lincoln? There is a square of restaurants and businesses around this courthouse which was lovingly glowing in the sunset. The history is evocative and it was closed to go inside when we were there, but it is a "1905 Neo-Classical building features a stained glass dome, the longest-serving courtroom in Illinois, a mosaic of the state seal, a statue of Abraham Lincoln and murals of Logan County."

Jasper county was created in 1835 and the county seat of Rensselaer was selected in 1839. The first…read morecourthouse was built that year, replaced with a frame structure in 1845. The third courthouse was a brick structure built in 1856 but it was burned in 1865. There was s fourth one that was built that year and now the fifth (present) courthouse was completed in 1889 at the cost of $156,000. The building is a four-story, gray-colored Bedford limestone edifice that faces north. The structure is situated in the heart of Rensselaer amid beautifully manicured grounds. There are three peaked dormers along the roof line and two tall stone pillars along the north front. The building has a modest octagonal tower on each corner. A massive square stone tower with a clock on each side and a four-peaked roof at the top rises in the center of the structure. The Judicial Court is located on the west side, while the Jasper Superior Court is located on the east, in the inside third story. There is street parking and well worth touring the building. A lovely brass chandelier with lead blown glass shades is in the foyer between the two courtrooms. [Review 20598 overall - 132 in Indiana - 1579 of 2023.]

I had the most amazing experience while visiting the Vermillion County Courthouse in Newport,…read moreIndiana. So I love history and architecture and this Courthouse has been on my list. Some courthouses won't, let you in the courtrooms, but since there was no court in session, the Circuit Court Clerk let us in. Then to my surprise, the Circuit Court Judge, Judge Wrede, came in to the courtroom and introduced himself and described the history of the Courthouse and offered a few anecdotal stories that made this visit unforgettable. The first courthouse was a small wood structure. After construction was complete, the builder was not paid the $345 owed for the building. So he took the State to court in the building he built! Anyway, the first two Courthouses were destroyed by fire. The present Courthouse was built in 1924 on a prominent square. The Neo Classical structure houses the Circuit Court. The building is in remarkable original condition with beautiful woodwork, marble stairs and a lovely stained glass backlit central dome. The Courtroom is unusual with the jury box directly in front of the Judge. The ceiling has an ornate central medallion. The witness stand sits in the center of the room facing the jury. A famous case tried in the County was that of Orville Majors, the notorious serial killer of the 1980's. Judge Wrede invited me to sit at the bench, which I did and then showed his chambers. He pointed out the historic jail. What an amazing experience. In the lower level of the Courthouse is a case filled with historical photos and memorabilia. Outside on the lawn, is a war memorial and a colorful statue of a giraffe. Plenty of parking surrounds the building. The security officer is friendly and helpful. This is truly a special place that rolls out the red carpet.