The historic Warren County Courthouse is in the small town of Williamsport. The Courthouse is the fourth Courthouse for the county, built in 1907, replacing the previous structure destroyed by fire. According to a plaque outside, the building was designed by J. W. Royer, Urbana, Illinois. The dome on the courthouse is covered with terra cotta tiles.
The staff inside the courthouse is welcoming and friendly. During my visit, early voting and a trial was in progress. This is an active courthouse.
The floors are mosaic tiles and stair rails are all steel painted black. Oak trim and furnishings are original. A huge black board that has been used for decades on the second floor was ready to record voting results.
The courthouse has several cases of local artifacts, including a flag memorializing Warren County War mothers. I spoke with the custodian about the building. The bell on top of the building is still rung by hand on special occasions. He told me the furnishings in the court room are original to the building. I wasn't allowed to take photos on the third floor because of the trial. The courthouse has undergone renovations over the years, I was told.
This is a great example of a Midwest courthouse that remain in original condition. There is free street parking around the building. The building is accessible with a ramp and elevator. I recommend a visit to anyone interested in history or architecture. There are a couple good places to eat in town and other sites to see. read more