Summit County Courthouse limestone lions
N 41° 04.784 W 081° 31.087
17T E 456478 N 4547737
Lions flanking the entrance to the Summit County Courthouse.
Waymark Code: WM769F
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 09/08/2009
Views: 6
Two carved male lions, each mirror images of the other, flanking the courthouse sidewalk, one facing northwest and the other facing southwest. The lions are resting on their hind legs with front legs outstretched, with mouths slightly open exposing teeth. The lions have large manes and their tails are raised up and resting on their backs. The lions are placed on limestone plinths, and set on mortared sandstone bases. The lions cost $1,160 (approximately $27,460 in 2008 dollars).
The lions were carved by August Blepp, a master stone cutter. He was married to my grandmother's sister.
The current Summit County Courthouse was completed in 1908. The design included the use of two limestone lions at the entrance. The lions are symbols of the law's majesty and are sculpted of Salem Limestone (commercially known as Indiana limestone). In order to position the lions without cracking the sandstone base blocks, large blocks of ice were placed between the lions and the stone bases. As the ice slowly melted, the lions gently came to a rest on their stone bases. The original design included a long and impressive flight of stairs leading from the street level up to the front doors. Due to the cost of maintenance, the lower half of the steps was removed in 1970.
Physical Address:
209 S. High Street
Akron, Ohio USA
44308
Web Site: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of the lion.