Fulton County Courthouses
Since its organization in 1836 Fulton County has erected three Courthouses to be the seat of its government.
The first was built in 1837 directly west of the present Courthouse. It was wooden, 24x20 feet in size and cost $750. The Second, constructed in 1847 on the Courthouse Square, was 44x60 feet, of brick in the Greek Revival style, and cost $6,000.
The present Courthouse, 111x116 feet, was completed in August, 1896, at a cost of $160,000 including furnishings and preparation of grounds. It was designed in Richardsonian Romanesque style by A. W. Rush and Son of Grand Rapids, Mich. General contractor was J. E. Gibson of Logansport. The exterior is Bedford limestone.
County commissioners in charge of the project were Asa Deweese of Liberty Township, Nathaniel Dudgeon of Richland Township and Thomas Lovatt of Rochester Township. The cornerstone was laid September 19, 1895, by the Grand Master of the Indiana masonic Lodge. It is found at the northeast corner of the second floor.
The 10 stone figures of guardian lions that surround the building are unique among the many Indiana courthouses constructed in the 19th century. They were carved on site by a stonecutter from Germany, Hedrick, who brought along his 10 year-old son as interpreter.
In 1962 the Courthouse Square was landscaped with trees through the efforts of the Rochester Women’s Club.
Marker is on Main Street north of East 9th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
