I'm rating this more as a place to go see if you are in Greensburg as apposed to actually going…read morethere to take care of any business or be in a trail. This building is beautiful! While it is impressive on the outside, just wait until you see the inside, amazing! It's hard to believe that such a breathtaking place exists in Greensburg. You have to walk through some medal detectors in the front entrance (Courthouse Square) right off the corner of N. Main Street and Otterman Street. After that you are in the annex which is nothing special at all. Once you are past the medal detectors turn immediately left walk to the end of the hall and turn left into the actual old building (the court house). Walk in front of the steps and look up at that dome and all the detail on the walls, ceilings, floors, and lighting. It is really something to see. Even the tile work on the floor is impressive. I used to work in this building and would regularly walk over to this area just to look around. Watch out though, you are not allowed to take pictures inside.

Located in the Town of Somerset, Somerset Co., PA on the corner of Centre and Union Streets. Built…read more1904-1906 architect was JC Fulton. Sits on 1 acre of land measures 146 ft x 112 ft and 135 ft tall. Made of Indiana Limestone, sits on Sandstone with terra cotta roof and copper dome on center tower. Gorgeous and free to go inside and look around. Beautiful building

I had recently heard that the Somerset County Courthouse is the highest court in all of…read morePennsylvania, elevation speaking. Makes sense as Mt. Davis, highest point in Pennsylvania, lies within Somerset County as well. It is quite the beautiful building, one of the first things you see when you drive into the area, proudly sitting on top of Somerset. Listed on National Registry of Historic Places and part of the Uptown Somerset Historic District basically tells you about the age of the structure. Inside you are greeted by security guards and metal detectors like you find in every government building today. Once you pass the checkpoints you are greeted then by the grand staircase that takes to exactly where you need to be. Three courthouses are housed within; one on the first floor and two on the second floor. All three are grandly ornate and distinct from one another. The biggest of the three is magnificent. I'm no architect, but I can respect the beauty of a nicely laid out building. The staircase is made of marble and splits at mid-level. If you cannot traverse stairs, you will be able to use the elevator in the building. Bathrooms are spread throughout with the main one being on the bottom floor. Also located on the bottom floor is a room with some vending machines, if you are here for an extended period of time that is a good thing to know. Many offices are located here that you would expect to find in a county courthouse. What you can't find in here they do have an annex building located across the street. The county jail is also located across the street. Everything from criminal and civil cases to jury selection happen here. I just so happen to have had the pleasure of serving jury duty and being able to do that here made my civic duty that much easier.

Came here for a wedding on the courthouse steps. I was really surprised by how beautiful it was…read moreinside. My niece had decorated the steps for the ceremony. It was really a very nice place to get married. There is also a piano so my great nephew was able to play for when the bride came in. There were chairs set up in front of the steps. Very nice for a small wedding.

I took a tour of the courthouse with PHLF and was in awe of the beauty of this historic building…read more From the murals and artwork to the architecture, this building is one of the most beautiful downtown. Security is strict, which is great. Since the building is so old, there is no AC so there are giant fans on each floor. If you pick a good day, you might even see a wedding going on in the courtyard. Truly beautiful!

This review is limited in scope to the bronze Jimmy Stewart statue that stands in front of this…read morecourthouse. Actor Jimmy Stewart was born and raised in Indiana, PA. On his 75th birthday the town honored him for all his achievements-both military and screen with this statue. The ironic thing about the statue is that it wasn't ready in time for the birthday ceremony. The town substituted a fiberglass one in its place which was later moved next door to the Jimmy Stewart museum. Dressed randomly in Jimmy's movie outfit from "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" suit, he wears a fedora and has one hand in his pocket and the other pointing out. This was known as one of his common standing gestures and had great posture. The statue sits on top of a concrete pedestal. Nearby the museum is a state marker that addresses his legacy and work. Check out the actual statue if you are going to the museum or just strolling around town. Jimmy got his boyhood education at a school which later became part of Indiana University of PA.

Patrice in the Vital Records Department and her co-workers delivered outstanding service.read more

The Pittsburgh City-county building is home to many Allegheny county services including the office…read moreof the mayor as well as other public records and the city treasurer. On the steps is a statue of the late Richard Caliguiri and inside the main lobby is a beautiful vaulted ceiling with artifacts all around. You must pass through security to enter. Two of the most used offices are that of the register of wills and the marriage license bureau. The latter is the focus of this review. I came here after learning that my marriage license issued before 911 is no longer acceptable for documentation for proof of name change. This is especially important if you want to get the new PA REAL ID and don't have or intend to get a passport. Oldie wed brides this information is directed mostly for your benefit. Some of us went in the late 90s and not only got the half sheet that was signed by the officiant but also spent money to get a single sealed certified copy. If you have either or both of these items then file them away. I was told they are now outdated. It must be triple sealed. I walked into the office, explained what I needed as was politely asked the year of my marriage and the groom's name. She didn't need anything else. She found my record and told me it would be ready in about 10 minutes for a minimal fee of $10.00. I was then asked to sit in the main waiting room where some happy couples were applying for their licenses for their upcoming nuptials. This same office also serves as a passport office so in case you wish to get that instead it lists the items you need to apply. After 10 minutes I was called and received my tripled sealed copy after I paid the $10.00. Like a deed title the seals are embossed in a triangle shape on the cover page. The 2nd page is the exact copy of that half sheet of paper I was given when I got married and the last page is a copy of my marriage license application. Many people who were married before 911 "assume" their old licenses are still good because they worked to change your name on all legal documents including your social security card. That is not the case any longer. If you don't wish to come down then it can be done on line however, if you were married before 1996 they charge a $4.00 surcharge for a document search in addition to the fee and it takes weeks to get. One of the difficulties with getting to the City County building is that you have to walk a few blocks for public parking or public transportation. Located on Grant St downtown the County Office building sits behind it and across the street is the County courthouse.

The DMV is simple. Ring any document you think you will need and you will be fine. I would…read morerecommend that come with little bit of patience. You may have to stand in line for a bit and wait. I average about 20 minutes. I don't think that is bad. The staff is usually very friendly they do try and help. I just recommend you try and be prepared as you can.

On 1/31/2023 I went in to the DMV in Morgantown to do my registration for a vehicle I purchased in…read moreJuly 2022 I had my fully paid 2022 tax receipt and my insurance information and the registration card sent by the State so I could get my new sticker. The lady at window #1 told me since I traded my old car in for the new one in July my tax ticket did not include the new car but it did include the car I traded in. The lady then told me I had to go to the County Court house, while chewing on food and get an affidavit that I didn't owe any taxes on my new car. I told her I couldn't have anything due because the new car was purchased after I paid my taxes I trade cars every 3 years and have never had a problem with a tax receipt listing the vehicle that I had traded in. My recommendation is to not go to the DMV in Sabarton unless it's absolutely necessary. I went to Sheetz, got my registration, no waiting or incompetent people to deal with. I will use the on line registration or the registration kiosk at Krogers or Sheetz in the future. I suggest you do the same.

This marker points out the history of a local hero who went on to literally make waves…read moreinternationally. The marker is in front of the courthouse and is easily legible. It reads, "Born December 13, 1860, on this site. Graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Went to China in 1885, built up and trained its Navy. September 17, 1894, it fought the Japanese to a draw in a naval battle at Yalu River. McGiffin died in 1897 from his injuries." The marker was erected in 1947 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Online, there is more information. Although McGiffin was primarily skilled as an instructor and administrator, he proved a talented tactician during the September 17, 1894 Battle of the Yalu River as well as the first American to command a modern battleship in wartime. Arriving in China soon after and seeking employment, McGiffin was able to earn a commission as a lieutenant in the newly modernizing Imperial Chinese Navy under Li Hung-chang in early 1885. In the midst of the Sino-French War, McGiffin was said to have captured a French gunboat in June before the end of the war that same year. [Review 20410 overall - 620 in Pennsylvania - 1389 of 2023.]

Such a beautiful building. I highly recommend this place for wedding photo shoots. So much stained…read moreglass. They don't make them like they used to!