Butler County Courthouse (Pennsylvania)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Butler County Courthouse
Butler County Courthouse
Butler County Courthouse (Pennsylvania) is located in Pennsylvania
Location: S. Main and Diamond Sts., Butler, Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 40°51′30″N 79°53′46″W / 40.85833°N 79.89611°W / 40.85833; -79.89611Coordinates: 40°51′30″N 79°53′46″W / 40.85833°N 79.89611°W / 40.85833; -79.89611
Built: 1885
Architect: James P. Bailey, R.B. Taylor
Architectural style: Gothic
Governing body: Local
NRHP Reference#: 77001132[1]
Added to NRHP: September 15, 1977

The Butler County Courthouse is a government building of Butler County located in the county seat, Butler, Pennsylvania.

The current structure is the third courthouse to have been built for the county. The original courthouse, built in 1807, was a small structure made of stone.[2] James P. Bailey, who was responsible for the construction of Old Main at Geneva College became the architect of the new courthouse after the second one was destroyed by a fire in 1883. It was built in 1885, and is a three-story, brick and sandstone building in an interpretation of the High Victorian Gothic style. It features a large central clock tower with two double pyramid shaped roofs.[3]

The Butler County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.[1]

Bailey's courthouse still stands today, and is currently the tallest structure in downtown Butler. The facility includes a Westinghouse elevator installed in the late 50s early 60s, several stained glass windows, a grand staircase connecting the first and second floors. The first and second floors are more designed to be gothic and art deco with several crown moldings, domed ceilings, marble floors and walls, a lot of woodwork as well. The upper two floors have been made into offices and courtrooms, may have been renovated over the years, dividing several rooms with drywall and a dropped ceiling. An annex was built in the early 90s know as "Government Center" which connects the original courthouse using sky bridge. The annex is build much more contemporary and more modern. This is a 5 story building with 2 basement levels, making a total of 7 floors. All 7 levels house several offices and courtrooms.

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15. 
  2. ^ McKnight, W J. “A pioneer outline history of northwestern Pennsylvania.” Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1905. Page 454. Print.
  3. ^ ""National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania"" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System.  Note: This includes Samuel A. MacDonald and Susan M. Zacher (January 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Butler County Courthouse" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-30. 

External links [edit]