This historic capital building has been undergoing renovations in 2025 as can be evidenced by the…read morescaffolding surrounding the rotunda in the photograph I have posted. It is the historic working capital building & seat of government for the state of Indiana. Open to the public as it should be the beautiful architecture and grounds are a must visit for Indiana citizens and anyone else who finds their self in the capital city of Indianapolis.

Stopped by for a tour. The tour guide let me join a big group at 10:30am. This place is beautiful…read moreand so cool! Got to meet the Comptroller, see the House of Representatives in session, sit in the Senator's chairs, and see the Supreme Court. The tour guide is so knowledgeable. After the tour, he gave me some good museum suggestions and showed me where to go.

I got that dreaded letter in the mail recently: I was being summoned for jury duty! Because I'm a…read moreresident of Hamilton County, I had to report to this particular court house. My experience being called for jury duty was fine. The people who work here are very professional and efficient. The building itself is beautiful. If you do have to serve on a jury and spend some time here, there are lots of restaurant options to choose from. I ended up being dismissed before lunch. Keep in mind that they don't allow you to park outside of the courthouse itself. There's a free parking garage a block away at which jurors are instructed to park. I would add an additional 10 minutes to your trip to find parking and walk to the courthouse. It's not far away, but there's a traffic light that takes a while. Also keep in mind: Before you enter the courthouse, you have to walk through a body scanner and empty your pockets. It's very easy but also kind of a pain, but I guess it's necessary in these strange and unpredictable times.

This review is for the Clerk's Office of Hamilton County. I needed a copy of my 45 year old…read moreMarriage License for the new Real ID Driver's License. So off we go to Noblesville. After the quick security check, the women at the Information Desk explained directions clearly and made it very easy to find. What a pleasant surprise when we walked into the Clerk's Office without a line or even a wait. Asked what I needed, I told her and she didn't bat an eye, roll her eyes or take the deep, loud sigh. She was friendly, professional, personable and efficient!! She continued and less than 5 minutes later I had the Certified License in my hands! Poof! Was that a dream? Wow! We were happily stunned with the entire process. The experience felt like we had a personal friend behind the counter. If you need to get an old Marriage License don't totally dread the process. Hopefully, yours will go as smoothly as ours.

I found out about this place after the post office canceled the passport appointment I had…read morescheduled for my son a month in advance. Thankfully, I learned that this location accepts walk-ins for passport services. I called ahead to confirm, and I'm really glad I did. They don't offer photo services like the post office, so I had to make an extra stop to get photos taken. I had also already prepaid for a money order on the processing fee, but it turned out they accept credit/debit cards or cash for that portion of the cost ($35), so I ended up paying that way instead (since my money order was too much ($50) because of the extra photo service charge I had opted for originally with the post office). The payment to the U.S. department of state ($130) still had to be money order/cashiers check or a check which I had a money order for that. The building itself is beautiful, very historic with a old-timey vibe. I enjoyed sightseeing around the building, checking out all the landmarks. When we arrived, the security guard at the front was helpful and guided us to the correct area. The staff member who assisted us was also very friendly, which made the process smooth. Parking was free and available around the building, which made things even easier. When I called ahead, they also let me know which entrance to use since some were closed, and that was really helpful. I'm so grateful this option was available the same day. It was convenient, easy to access, and the service was great, plus, the building itself was a nice bonus to see.

The Johnson County Courthouse stands on a prominent square in Franklin. The Courthouse, designed by…read morearchitect George W. Buenting, was completed in 1881 and is a mixture of Italianate and other styles. The courthouse is the 4th dedicated structure for Johnson County. (Two previous courthouses were destroyed by fire.) The exterior of the building is a combination of brick and limestone. A central clock tower with working bell is prominent. Several war memorials stand in the courtyard including a bronze Civil War sculpture by John Vawter. Inside, marble floors, curved stairways, carved woodwork and other woodwork captured my attention. A central atrium with a beautiful lit ceiling is the centerpiece of the building. The building is pristine with the most recent renovation completed in 1983. The security guard was friendly and directed me to the clerk's office for information. There are several courtrooms in the building. The Superior Court was close to original 1881 condition with folding seating made of wrought iron and oak. Other courtrooms had been modernized. Free parking surrounds the Courthouse square. The building is fully accessible. The Courthouse is worth a visit if you are interested in architecture and history.

My visit to Owen County Courthouse was a memorable experience. Construction on the Courthouse began…read morein 1910 and was completed mid 1911 at the cost of only $106,000. The limestone building was designed by Jesse T. Johnson and Co. out of Indianapolis. The metal dome is a focal point, holding clocks and a US flag. The courthouse sits on a prominent square with several War memorials. After going through security, I asked the deputy about the building. He smiled and told me when the courthouse was built. He was excited about his visit into the dome, which is quite large. He encouraged me to go into the courtroom, which was in session, and see the original furniture and woodwork. This was my first visit inside a courtroom holding court. There was a small hearing going on. The judge actually asked why I was there and welcomed me to observe. The gallery chairs were original wrought iron with fold down seats. The jury box and judge's bench looked original wood. (I was not allowed to take photos.) it was interesting to watch a live legal proceeding. For the most part, the court house interior is original with some updates. The courthouse is not ornate, but functional with a simple beauty. The center atrium has tiled floors. War artifacts throughout the building memorialized local residents that served in the military. The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. A visit offers the opportunity to see local government in action. The people are friendly and engaging. There is metered parking around the courthouse square (so bring some quarters). I only found restrooms on the first floor of the three story structure.

A reviewer recommended bring quarters for metered parking they don't have meter maids so save your…read moremoney. If you get sent a jury duty form you can fill it and send it in yourself or what for the second notice and use the self addressed envelope. Remember to remove tools and sprays from your car keys or you'll be making two trips.

I HIGHLY recommend this particular branch of the BMV. Why this one, well it's because they know…read morewhat they're doing and they actually care about customer service. I originally went to the Speedway branch where they were charging me $65 for a service and I wasn't prepared for that I had figured it would just be a few dollars. I left to go get more money and ended up at this branch afterward. This branch got it right and I only owed $1! There's much to be said for customer service and a happy customer service representative. Thank you!

Amanda was the best !!! Wait less than 5 minutes... Amanda…read moregreeted my husband & I with kindness & to meet our reason for being there . Definitely on top of her game .. while smiling the whole time . She was knowledgeable Of all things BMV . In & out in less that 20 minutes. Wonderful improvements with Plainfield's office of the BMV! I would do it all again ... Great Service !

The Shelby County Court House is unusual by Indiana standards. Unlike most courthouses around the…read moreState, this courthouse does not stand on a grand downtown square surrounded by local businesses. The building is located several blocks south of the town square and is surrounded by other government offices in a campus-like setting. Additionally, the Shelby County Court House is distinctively Art Deco in style and architecture. Built in 1936, the Court House is the third building, replacing former damaged and obsolete structures. Bohlen and Son designed the structure. Currently, the front steps are undergoing renovation. The public entrance is in the rear, where there is also an accessible ramp. Visitors pass through security. The deputies were welcoming and super helpful during my visit. While there is no formal visitor tour, I was welcome to explore and take photos (no courts were in session). The Art Deco atrium is fabulous with classic railings and lovely green swirl marble on the walls. The first floor houses several clerk offices and the courtrooms are upstairs. Beyond the atrium, most of the original Art Deco features have been removed and updated. The grounds are tidy without fanfare. There is a single monument in front honoring those who served in the Civil War and a tree honoring a local deputy lost the line of duty. There is free parking around the building and public restrooms available inside. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. This is a lovely piece of architecture and worth a visit.

I was excited to visit the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus because the Victorian…read morestructure is whimsical and lovely. The building was designed by Isaac Hodgson completed in 1874. The building is Registered as a Historic Landmark. The building is constructed of red brick and trimmed with limestone. The Courthouse is very much a working courthouse. The building house the Circuit Court and two Superior Courts. A person can get a marriage license, pay property taxes or go directly to jail here. I was excited about going inside and seeing what's in those fabulous towers. However, there is no walking tour and no photos are allowed inside. In fact, you must turn your phone off. The interior has been renovated multiple times removing original details. There was no grand atrium that I have seen in other Indiana courthouses. There is a lovely spiral staircase that goes up to the third floor. The courtrooms do have older style (1930's) chairs and bookcases. Many of the doors are antique as well. The courtyard outside has a gorgeous garden and water fountain. There are several war memorials surrounding the building. The grounds are immaculate. There is free parking around the square. Entrants to the building go through security. The guard was all business. There is an ADA access at a different entrance than the front. The businesses surrounding the courthouse are thriving. I would recommend a visit to the grounds of the courthouse as part of a visit to Columbus.

My second courthouse in Indiana and so far, I remain impressed. This is a beautiful structure and…read morewell worth a visit even if you're not here for court business. Batholomew County was formed in 1821and the count seat of Columbus was originally called Tiptona after John Tipton donated thirty acres for the building. Tipton went on to serve as state representative, Indian agent, and United States senator. The building was designed by Isaac Hodgson and was completed in 1874. It is the county's fourth courthouse and is in the Second Empire style. Constructed of red brick with white limestone trim, the foundation is rusticated blue limestone. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. [Review 20522 overall - 68 in Indiana - 1503 of 2023.]

The historic Hamilton County Courthouse in Noblesville is one of the older functioning courthouses…read morein the state, dedicated in 1878. The building was designed by famous Indianapolis architect, Edwin Mays, but completed by J. C. Johnson. (Mays went on to design the Indiana Statehouse, but became paralyzed during the project and died in 1880.) The courthouse is French Second Empire and I think the French influence is evident from grand facade outside. The clocktower has been replaced due to failure of the original structure (similar to the Montgomery County Courthouse clocktower). Inside, the staff is friendly. The deputy welcomed me, told me where to find courthouse artifacts and encouraged me to peek inside the courtroom. Other staff members also asked if I needed assistance. The courthouse has undergone numerous renovations throughout the years and offices are 1990's "modern" while the halls are original. Most notable are the twin staircases with short bannisters and steps. The floors are a mix of marble and mosaic tile. Some of the original cabinetry stands in the halls. Lovely leaded glass windows crown entryways. Unlike other Indiana courthouses, there is no grand dome that can be seen from the inside. The original bench of the courtroom has been maintained, while seating was updated at some point. A plaque notes the 1925 historic conviction of Klu Klux Klan leader, D. C. Stephenson, for the brutal attack that led to the death of Madge Oberholtzer. Stephenson's conviction contributed to the demise of the Klan. A cabinet on the third floor holds interesting artifacts such as one of the original hands of the clock and photograph of the original building. Today, a tunnel runs from the basement of the courthouse to a government complex across the street. The original sheriff's house and prison sits on the Square, now housing a museum. There is limited parking around the square. The building is accessible through an entrance ramp and there is an elevator inside. I recommend visiting on a Thursday or Friday, when the Sheriff's House/Museum is opened. Around the Square are several good restaurants and antiques shops. Worth a visit, for sure.

The Brown County Court House is located in the county seat of Nashville, Indiana. The Court House…read moreis home to the Circuit Court. Unlike other counties in Indiana, there is no grand square with a domed top building. The Court House is a colonial red brick, older building that stands surrounded by beautiful trees and inviting park benches. The current 2-story building was built in 1874 by McCormack and Sweeney of Columbus, Indiana at the cost of $9000. The building replaced an earlier structure that was destroyed by fire at the same location. The court room and jury rooms are on the second floor and general offices are on the first floor. The Court House is part of a series of historic buildings that tourists can visit. A historic log-cabin jail and historic society are among the buildings. A modern addition was added to the back of the courthouse and serves as the new entry, which enables accessibility. In front of the Courthouse is a small war memorial to recognize those from the area that served.

This was my first time visiting the Morgan County Courthouse. Specifically I did my business with…read morethe Clerk of Courts which is still in this building and not the new building with the new courtrooms. The staff was super friendly in the Clerk's office. They helped us understand the petition we were filing and all the next steps involved. They also helped us understand a question we had about one of the options on the petition. The officers at the entrance were very helpful with access since I am temporarily in a wheelchair this summer. They said it is still unknown if the Clerk of Courts office will stay in the courthouse or move to the new building.

When you drive up to the Morgan County Courthouse, you would never guess the building was built…read morepre-Civil War. The original structure was designed by Isaac Hodgson, an Irish born architect who designed four courthouses in Indiana. The Morgan County Courthouse, started in 1857 and completed 1859, was the first courthouse he designed in the state. The courthouse sits on a central square in the city of Martinsville. Additions that maintained the original Italianate style were added 1895, 1912, 1934, 1956 and in 1970s. Currently, a new judicial building is under construction a block away from the courthouse. After the new building opens, the historical courthouse will enjoy another renovation. The sheriff's staff is super friendly, and indicated very little original interior exists. Modern updates brought plumbing, electricity, phones, heating, air conditioning and electronics to this historic structure. It is difficult to find any evidence of the original courthouse on the inside. Courtrooms and offices have been updated with electronics and furniture. There was no info on history within the building, which was disappointing. But it is a working courthouse. Outside, a Civil war era canon points west, protecting the building from Illinois. On the west side of the building, sits the original sheriff's home. There is free parking around the square. The building is wheelchair accessible.