Clarion County Courthouse - Clarion, Pennsylvania
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KNAPAHOLIC
N 41° 12.885 W 079° 23.141
17T E 635327 N 4563853
The Clarion County Courthouse. Seat of government and judicial activity for the county.
Waymark Code: WMNQ1J
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 04/16/2015
Views: 10
Two earlier courthouse were built on the site, the first was completed in 1843, the second in 1863. Both were built of brick and both were destroyed by fire. The second courthouse burned down on September 12, 1882.
Sixteen contractors bid to construct the current courthouse, with bids ranging between $88,370 and $135,000. P.H. Melvin made the winning bid. Construction started on July 6, 1883 and was scheduled to be completed on November 16, 1884, but actual completion was on October 14, 1885. On January 27, 1885 Melvin was removed as contractor and the three bondsmen became acting contractors, retaining Melvin as superintendent of construction. Total completed cost was $126,936. Melvin later sued the county for $40,000, apparently unsuccessfully, for failure to comply with the contracted conditions.
The architect was E.M. Butz of Allegheny, Pennsylvania (now part of Pittsburgh) who designed the building in the Queen Anne style and the supervising architect was D. English of Brockville. Henry Warner of Allegheny painted the frescos. The floor tiling was laid by the Star Encaustic Tile Company of Pittsburgh and the Howard Clock Company of New York supplied the 9-foot diameter clock dial and the 1313 pound bell. A galvanized iron sculpture called the "Lady of Justice", standing 9 feet 11 inches tall on top of the clock tower, is of unknown origin.
Changes and renovations to courthouse include:
1889 - gas illumination of the clock was added
1923 - electric lighting added
1977 - complete electrical re-wiring, and
1981 - a complete exterior renovation
The "Lady of Justice" was restored in 1981. About 25 bullet holes were in the statue and her left arm was missing. The statue was restored by Ranochak & Company of Shelbyville, Indiana with a fiberglass coating and fiberglass backing inside the statue. During the restoration the statue's weight doubled to 250 pounds.
Year Built: 1883
Current Use of Building: Courthouse
Level of Courts: County
Architect: E.M. Butz
Dates this building was used to house judicial proceedings: Oct 14, 1885
Physical Address:
421 Main St, Clarion PA 16214
Hours:
0830 - 1630 Monday - Friday
Related Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
At least one original photograph should be added to the gallery. And please describe your impressions and visit to the courthouse.