The Sweet Grass County Courthouse was built in the county seat of Big Timber in 1897 with a rather imposing and majestic tower over the street-side entrance. Built by contractor H.J. Wolcott at a proposed cost of $9,590, the building was completed in just over six months, with Mr. Wolcott's bid being accepted by the county on June 24, 1897, construction beginning in early July and the county officers moving into their new abode on Sunday, November 04, 1897.
Designed by architect F. S. Hornbeck, the stone courthouse sailed along, suffering just a couple of "minor" mishaps, until 1927, when
on the west side of the building, at an estimated cost of $9,300, nearly the cost of the original building. It appears that inflation was afoot even back then.
, which made the front page of the Big Timber Pioneer, whereas the previous fire merited only a Page 5 mention.
In 1927 it was felt that the county had outgrown its courthouse, which led to an expansion being added to the west side of the building, the addition being designed by J. G. Link, once of the estimable architectural firm of
.
In 1928, though, a fire which essentially damaged only the building's roof led to the demise of the courthouse's landmark tower. A midday fire which caused substantial damage to the roof, it left much of the rest of the building undamaged, save for water damage, but left the tower dangerously unsafe. As a result, county board members opted to have it razed.
, will allow us to follow the highlights of the courthouse's history, from the acceptance of the plans submitted by its architect, F. S. Hornbeck, the tender of the contract to its builder, H.J. Wolcott, to its completion - even to the tender of the contract to supply furnishings to one George Dunham, of the Irwin-Hodson Co., then to the fire which caused the destruction of its tower.
The Early Life of a Courthouse
April 22, 1897, Page 1
After reading specifications of F. S. Hornbeck and of O.M. Lanphear, the board adopted the plats of F. S. Hornbeck for proposed court house.
After receiving the report of the appraisers on court house site the commissioners accepted the bid of Harvey Bliss for Lots 16 to 20 in Block 9, Original Plat for $100 and taxes of 1897.
Board ordered special meeting for Monday, May 10 1897, for receiving bids and letting contracts for erecting of court house.
May 6, 1897, Page 4
Notice To Contractors
Bids will be received for the erection of a court house and jail annex In the town of Big Timber, and for Sweet Grass county up to 10 o’clock a.m. May 10th 1897. Said court house to be built according to the plans and specifications on file with the county clerk. Upon any bid being accepted, the contractors will be required to enter into a contract with the county and furnish satisfactory bonds for the completion of the building according to plans, specifications and contract. The board of commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all bids.
By order of board of county commissioners.
John II. Moore
County clerk
June 24, 1897, Page 1
It was moved by Fallang, seconded by Bailey that H.J. Wolcott’s proposition be accepted and that the chairman of the board be authorized and directed to enter into a contract with H.J. Wolcott for the construction of a court house for $9,590.00 in accordance with the plans and specifications as adopted and amended by the board and on file in the clerk’s office conditioned upon the filing of a bond for the faithful performance of said contract in the sum of $10,000.00 to be approved by the chairman of the board of county commissioners.
July 22, 1897, Page 5
H.J. Wolcott, who has the contract for the building of the new county court house at, this point, has a fore of eighteen men at work, and already has the stone work laid up as high as the floor to the second story. Mr. Wolcott thinks he will have it completed by October 1st. and when finished it will be a handsome structure, and one that Sweet Grass county can be proud of.
August 19, 1897, Page 5
H.J. Wolcott, who is building the new court house at this place has the building fairly under way, and the stone-work is now laid to the top of the windows of the second story. The building when completed is to be a fine one, and one that would be a credit to any town.
October 14, 1897, Page 1
The new court house will soon be ready for occupancy. The doors and inside casings in the upper story are about completed, and plastering and calcimining is done, and it presents a very neat appearance both inside and out. It is thought that by the first of the month everything will be completed, and then the county of ficers can lake up their new abode.
The jail part is entirely finished and already there are two boarders, to keep company with the dismal walls within.
Sweet Grass county will have a building that it can he proud of, and one that can not be beat any where, for the amount of money which it will cost.
November 04, 1897, Page 5
The county officers on Sunday moved into their new abode, in the new court house. The court house is entirely finished, it is a handsome structure, a building which any towns the size of Big Timber can be proud of. Much credit is due Mr. Wolcott, at the low cost of which this fine building is built, and a visit to the same will assure him of this fact.
Sweet Grass county has been long in the need of new court house, ever since its creation. It is a valuable addition to the town, which is growing fast. During the year 1897, a large number of good substantial buildings have gone up, and more is contemplated in the near future.
The last term of court which convened Monday and which was the first to be held in our new court house was opened by a few brilliant speeches apropos of the occasion. The speakers were Judge Henry, the members of the bar and other prominent persons in attendance.
December 09, 1897, Page 5
George Dunham, representing the Irwin-Hodson Co., of Pcrthind. Oregon, was in Big Timber the first of the week, and secured the contract of furnishing the metal furniture for the clerk and recorder’s vault in the new court house.
October 06, 1927, Page 1
Work Is Under Way On Badly Needed Court House Addition
Work started yesterday morning on the addition to the court house, the first effort being the uprooting of a big tree by R.O. Sisman.
According to the estimate of the architect, the cost of the addition should be $9.300. The commissioners figure that by doing its own work, using the county concrete crew, the county will save from $2,000 to $3,000.
While it may not be possible to complete the work this fall, sufficient good weather should follow for the completion of the basement.
The addition will be on the west side of the present building, enlarging the offices of the court clerk and treasurer. The addition to the clerk’s office will be 24x29 feet inside, and that to the treasurer’s apartments, 14x24 feet. The additions will be absolutely fire- proof, something the county has needed for many years. In case of fire in the present building, records it would cost thousands of dollars to replace would probably be destroyed. With the new addition, all records will be absolutely protected, and a basement, 22x29 feet will insure ample protection for old records.
Reinforced concrete will be used, and Roy 0. Trover will superintend the work.
March 01, 1928, Page 1
On account of the fire of February 21st, 1928, an emergency is declared to exist, and it is hereby ordered that the repairs to the court house be begun at the earliest moment, and with out waiting for the usual thirty days for the advertisement for bids.
The clerk was instructed to advertise for bids for the repairs to the roof, leveling floors, plastering and redecorating, bids to be opened at 3 o’clock p.m. March 3. The unsafe and dangerous condition of the tower of the court house being brought to the attention of the board, it was decided to take down the same at the time the repairs are being made to the roof.