Lawrence County is named for James Lawrence, who was a naval hero during the War of 1812. The county was created in 1816 from partss of Gallia and Sioto counties. The county seat was moved from Burlington to Ironton in 1851.
After the previous county courthouse was lost to fire, this one was completed in 1908 and blends Greek Revival and Beaux-Arts styles. It was designed by the Columbus-based firm Richards, McCarty & Bulford. It is a three-story structure made of brown cut stone and concrete, standing on a hill overlooking downtown Ironton and the Ohio River. The large central dome with a copper roof acts as a crown over the building. Inside, the courthouse features stone floors and walls, high wooden doors with glass panels, and sweeping staircases with iron railings.
The grounds of the courthouse include a Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a replica of the Statue of Liberty and a memorial commemorating Ironton's annual Memorial Day Parade, recognized as the oldest continuing Memorial Day observance in the U.S., dating back to 1868.
[Review 615 of 2025 - 302 in Ohio - 24176 overall] read more