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Coordinates: 41°2′20″N 83°39′2″W / 41.03889°N 83.65056°W / 41.03889; -83.65056
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{{Short description|Local government building in the United States}}
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{{Infobox nrhp
| name = Hancock County Courthouse
{{for|the older historic courthouse in Findlay|First Hancock County Courthouse}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Use American English|date=October 2023}}
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| image = Hancock County Ohio Courthouse.jpg
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{{Infobox NRHP
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| caption = The front of the courthouse
| name = Hancock County Courthouse
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| location = [[Findlay, Ohio|Findlay]], [[Ohio]]
| nrhp_type =
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| architect = Frank Weary and George Washington Kramer
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| image = Hancock County, Ohio Courthouse 1.jpg
| architecture = Palladium, Victorian, and Richardson Romanesque<ref name=BG/><ref name=BG>{{cite video|people = WBGU-TV
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| caption = Front of the courthouse
| title = Historic Courthouses of Northwest Ohio
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| location = Courthouse Sq., [[Findlay, Ohio]]
| medium = VHS
| coordinates = {{coord|41|2|20|N|83|39|2|W|display=inline,title}}
| publisher = Bowling Green State University
| location = Bowling Green, Ohio
| locmapin = Ohio#USA

| year2 = 2000}}</ref>
| mapframe = yes
| added = [[1973-05-07]]<ref name=nris/><ref name=nris>{{cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=[[2007-06-30]]|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
| mapframe-marker = building
| governing_body = Local<ref name=nris/>
| mapframe-zoom = 12
| lat_degrees = 41 | lat_minutes = 1 | lat_seconds = 56 | lat_direction = N
|mapframe-caption = Interactive map showing the location of Hancock County Courthouse
| long_degrees = 83 | long_minutes = 38 | long_seconds = 37 | long_direction = W

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| refnum = 73001475<ref name=nris/>
| built = 1886-1888
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| architect = Weary & Kramer
| architecture = Palladium, Victorian, and Richardson Romanesque<ref name=BG>{{cite video|people = WBGU-TV | title = Historic Courthouses of Northwest Ohio | medium = VHS | publisher = Bowling Green State University | location = Bowling Green, Ohio |date = 2000}}</ref>
| added = May 7, 1973
| area = {{convert|1.5|acre}}
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| refnum = 73001475<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}
}}


The '''Hancock County Courthouse''' is a historic [[courthouse]] in [[Findlay, Ohio]], United States. Built between 1886 and 1888, it was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973.<ref name=nris />
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The '''Hancock County Courthouse''' is a historic [[courthouse]] in [[Findlay, Ohio|Findlay]], [[Ohio]], [[United States]]. Built between 1886 and 1888, it was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973.<ref name=nris /> The building, as planned in 1885, was to replace a previous brick courthouse located at the same site. When oil and natural gas were found in Hancock County shortly thereafter, the Courthouse was given many of it's unique and eclectic stylings. <ref name=BG/> On April 17, 1885 the [[Ohio General Assembly|Ohio Legislature]] authorized the construction of a new courthouse for Hancock county with the raising of $100,000 in bonds. The cornerstone was laid on August 11, 1886. W.H. Campfield won the initial bid to construct the courthouse enclosure and that was completed by November of 1886. Campfield again won the bid for the completeion of the project. Amidst delays the project soared from an estimate of $121,890.25 to $305,272.53 (although after refunds on the bonds and interest this blossomed to more than $511,010). <ref>Humphrey, William (1961). Findlay: The Story of a Community, p. 123-125. Findlay Publishing Company, Findlay, Ohio. </ref>


==Early history==
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The building measures 82 by 142 feet and is 139.5 feet tall from the sidewalk to the top of the county's namesake and [[Founding Father]] [[John Hancock]].<ref>Paulette Weiser (2007). Historic Hancock County: An Illustrated History, p. 30. Historical Publishing, San Antonio. </ref> The Hancock statue is made of copper and it stands next to a pedestal with a lawbook upon the clock tower. It stands approximately 18 feet tall. In September of 1922, during a severe storm the statue was blown off the courthouse and extensively damaged. It was repaired the following year.<ref name=BG/> Below John Hancock sit the three feminine figures, Law, Justic, and Mercy, also made out of copper.<ref>Paulette Weiser (2007). Historic Hancock County: An Illustrated History, p. 31. Historical Publishing, San Antonio. </ref> The clocktower itself has four faces pointing towards each cardinal direction. Each face measures between 8 to 9 feet in diameter. Originally these clocks had a pendulum, 3000 lb bell, and were hand wound until 1925 when they were electrified. The clock faces and works were constructed by the [[E. Howard & Co.]]. <ref name=BG/>
⚫
The building, as planned in 1885, was to replace a previous brick courthouse located at the same site. When oil and natural gas were discovered in Hancock County shortly thereafter, the Courthouse was given many of its unique and eclectic stylings.<ref name=BG/> On April 17, 1885 the [[Ohio General Assembly|Ohio Legislature]] authorized the construction of a new courthouse for Hancock County, raising $100,000 in bonds. The cornerstone was laid on August 11, 1886. W.H. Campfield won the initial bid to construct the courthouse enclosure and that was completed by November 1886. Campfield again won the bid for the completion of the project. Amidst delays the project soared from an estimate of $121,890.25 to $305,272.53 (although after refunds on the bonds and interest this blossomed to more than $511,010).<ref>Humphrey, William (1961). ''Findlay: The Story of a Community'', p. 123-125. Findlay Publishing Company, Findlay, Ohio.</ref> [[File:HancockStainedGlass.jpg|thumb|left|125px|Typical stained glass window in the courthouse.]][[File:Main Street, Findlay, (Ohio). Night of laying corner stone of new court house LCCN2004667729.tif|thumb|right|Celebration on Main Street during the laying of the cornerstone at the new courthouse.]]


On May 30, 1913 the [[bathtub]] of Captain [[Charles Dwight Sigsbee]] recovered from the shipwreck of the [[USS Maine (1889)|USS ''Maine'']] was publicly displayed for the first time at the Hancock County Courthouse.<ref>{{cite news |title=SIGSBEE'S BATHTUB ON VIEW; Maine Battleship Relic Shown in Findlay, Ohio, for First Time. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/05/31/archives/sigsbees-bathtub-on-view-maine-battleship-relic-shown-in-findlay.html |access-date=20 August 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=31 May 1913}}</ref>
⚫
During the 1990's the courthouse underwent an extensive $3 million dollar restoration. The brass railings to both the second and third floors are original to the structure, as well as the brass medallions below the bannisters. Also the ornately tiled floors and floral designed stained glass which adorns the courthouse are original to the 1888 construction. Additionally the imposing early [[Victorian Architecture|Victorian]] woodwork is original. <ref name=BG/>


==Architecture==
It currently houses the Clerk of Courts, Recorder's, Auditor's, Hancock County Common Pleas Court, Treasurer's offices, and Law Library.
⚫
The building measures 82 feet by 142 feet and is 139.5 feet tall from the sidewalk to the top of the county's namesake and [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father]] [[John Hancock]].<ref>Paulette Weiser (2007). ''Historic Hancock County: An Illustrated History'', p. 30. Historical Publishing, San Antonio.</ref> The Hancock statue is made of [[copper]] and stands next to a pedestal with a law book upon the [[clock tower]]. It stands approximately 18 feet tall. In September 1922, during a severe storm the statue was blown off the courthouse and extensively damaged. It was repaired the following year.<ref name=BG/> Below John Hancock sit the three feminine figures, Law, [[Lady Justice|Justice]], and Mercy, also made out of copper.<ref>Paulette Weiser (2007). Historic Hancock County: An Illustrated History, p. 31. Historical Publishing, San Antonio.</ref> The clock tower itself has four faces pointing towards each [[cardinal direction]]. Each face measures between 8 and 9 feet in diameter. Originally these clocks had a pendulum, 3000&nbsp;lb bell, and were hand wound until 1925 when they were electrified. The clock faces and inner works were constructed by the [[E. Howard & Co.]]<ref name=BG/>


==Renovation==
⚫
During the 1990s the courthouse underwent an extensive $3 million restoration. The [[brass]] railings to both the second and third floors are original to the structure, as well as the brass medallions below the bannisters. Also the ornately tiled floors, floral motif [[stained glass]], and the imposing early [[Victorian Architecture|Victorian]] [[Woodworking|woodwork]] is original.<ref name=BG/>


== References ==
==Services==
It currently houses the Hancock County [[Ohio Courts of Common Pleas|Common Pleas Court]], [[Court clerk|Clerk of Courts]], [[Law library|Law Library]], Recorder's, Auditor's, and Treasurer's offices.
{{reflist}}


== References ==
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{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
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[[Category:1886 architecture]]
*{{commons category-inline|Hancock County Courthouse (Ohio)}}
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[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Ohio]]
*[http://www.co.hancock.oh.us/courthouse-tour Courthouse video tour - Hancock County ]
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[[Category:Courthouses in Ohio]]


{{Ohio County Courthouses}}
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{{National Register of Historic Places in Ohio}}


[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1888]]
{{HancockOH-NRHP-struct-stub}}
[[Category:Courthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio]]
[[Category:County courthouses in Ohio]]
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[[Category:Findlay, Ohio]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hancock County, Ohio]]
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[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Hancock County, Ohio]]
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[[Category:Clock towers in Ohio]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in Ohio]]

Latest revision as of 20:22, 8 October 2023

For the older historic courthouse in Findlay, see First Hancock County Courthouse.

Hancock County Courthouse
Front of the courthouse
Hancock County Courthouse (Ohio) is located in Ohio
Hancock County Courthouse (Ohio)
Hancock County Courthouse (Ohio) is located in the United States
Hancock County Courthouse (Ohio)
Map
Interactive map showing the location of Hancock County Courthouse
LocationCourthouse Sq., Findlay, Ohio
Coordinates41°2′20″N 83°39′2″W / 41.03889°N 83.65056°W / 41.03889; -83.65056
Area1.5 acres (0.61 ha)
Built1886-1888
ArchitectWeary & Kramer
Architectural stylePalladium, Victorian, and Richardson Romanesque[2]
NRHP reference No.73001475[1]
Added to NRHPMay 7, 1973

The Hancock County Courthouse is a historic courthouse in Findlay, Ohio, United States. Built between 1886 and 1888, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]

Early history

[edit]

The building, as planned in 1885, was to replace a previous brick courthouse located at the same site. When oil and natural gas were discovered in Hancock County shortly thereafter, the Courthouse was given many of its unique and eclectic stylings.[2] On April 17, 1885 the Ohio Legislature authorized the construction of a new courthouse for Hancock County, raising $100,000 in bonds. The cornerstone was laid on August 11, 1886. W.H. Campfield won the initial bid to construct the courthouse enclosure and that was completed by November 1886. Campfield again won the bid for the completion of the project. Amidst delays the project soared from an estimate of $121,890.25 to $305,272.53 (although after refunds on the bonds and interest this blossomed to more than $511,010).[3]

Typical stained glass window in the courthouse.
Celebration on Main Street during the laying of the cornerstone at the new courthouse.

On May 30, 1913 the bathtub of Captain Charles Dwight Sigsbee recovered from the shipwreck of the USS Maine was publicly displayed for the first time at the Hancock County Courthouse.[4]

Architecture

[edit]

The building measures 82 feet by 142 feet and is 139.5 feet tall from the sidewalk to the top of the county's namesake and Founding Father John Hancock.[5] The Hancock statue is made of copper and stands next to a pedestal with a law book upon the clock tower. It stands approximately 18 feet tall. In September 1922, during a severe storm the statue was blown off the courthouse and extensively damaged. It was repaired the following year.[2] Below John Hancock sit the three feminine figures, Law, Justice, and Mercy, also made out of copper.[6] The clock tower itself has four faces pointing towards each cardinal direction. Each face measures between 8 and 9 feet in diameter. Originally these clocks had a pendulum, 3000 lb bell, and were hand wound until 1925 when they were electrified. The clock faces and inner works were constructed by the E. Howard & Co.[2]

Renovation

[edit]

During the 1990s the courthouse underwent an extensive $3 million restoration. The brass railings to both the second and third floors are original to the structure, as well as the brass medallions below the bannisters. Also the ornately tiled floors, floral motif stained glass, and the imposing early Victorian woodwork is original.[2]

Services

[edit]

It currently houses the Hancock County Common Pleas Court, Clerk of Courts, Law Library, Recorder's, Auditor's, and Treasurer's offices.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e WBGU-TV (2000). Historic Courthouses of Northwest Ohio (VHS). Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green State University.
  3. ^ Humphrey, William (1961). Findlay: The Story of a Community, p. 123-125. Findlay Publishing Company, Findlay, Ohio.
  4. ^ "SIGSBEE'S BATHTUB ON VIEW; Maine Battleship Relic Shown in Findlay, Ohio, for First Time". The New York Times. May 31, 1913. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  5. ^ Paulette Weiser (2007). Historic Hancock County: An Illustrated History, p. 30. Historical Publishing, San Antonio.
  6. ^ Paulette Weiser (2007). Historic Hancock County: An Illustrated History, p. 31. Historical Publishing, San Antonio.
[edit]
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