County of courthouse: Edwards County
Location of courthouse: 4th St. & Main St., Albion
Architect: McDonald Bros.
Contractor: Joseph Harris & Sons
Architectural Style: Second Empire
"In 1887 an attempt to build a new courthouse failed. Early in 1887, a grand jury had been called to consider the condition of the 1852 courthouse. On April 14th, 1887, the report of the grand jury was issued condemning the courthouse. After much wrangling, and a threat to move the county seat to Browns, it was agreed that the 1852 courthouse would be “remodeled”. The building could be “remodeled”, but not replaced, by the County Commissioners without the approval of the voters. On June 7th, 1887, “repairs” to the courthouse were ordered.
"McDonald Brothers, architects of Louisville, Kentucky, submitted plans for the “repair” work. The contract was let to Joseph Harris and Sons for $8,345. In July and August of 1887, the County was put to the expense of defending itself in injunction suits filed in White and Wabash Counties in an attempt to stop work on the courthouse.
"The county offices were moved to the second floor of the old Opera House, across the street south from the courthouse, and the 1852 courthouse was completely razed, except for a portion of the old wall on the west and a small section on the south. Work began on the new courthouse on February 21st, 1888. The construction went rapidly and it was reported in mid-March that “after a few more fine days, all the outside work but the portico and the painting will be completed. The floors are being laid.”
"The town clock arrived about this same time. On December 1st, 1887, the Town Board of Albion had appointed a committee to purchase a clock for the tower of the soon-to-be “remodeled” courthouse. It was no easy task hoisting it in the tower of the courthouse on March 29th, 1888. The clock weighs 1,500 pounds, the weights weigh 1,000 pounds, the bell weighs 590 pounds for a combined total of about 3,090 pounds – or a little over one and one-half tons!
"In July, 1888, the Albion Journal reported that the “court-house is now practically completed and it is probable that a special meeting of the Board will be held next Tuesday to receive the building.” The Journal went on to praise the quality of the work and stated that it was very largely a “home product”. The bricks were made locally by Mr. Bassett, the foundation is of stone quarried locally. The brick work, stone setting, and plastering were done mostly by local workmen supervised by W. T. Burrell, a local man. The interior woodwork was done by local labor. The tin and sheet-iron work was done by George Weave, another local artisan.
"By late July, 1888 the county officers had moved into their new offices in the courthouse. New furniture had been ordered for those offices and for the courtroom for a total of $550.
"In July, 1911, the courthouse was wired for electricity." ~ Albion Chamber of Commerce