Old Todd County Courthouse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Old Todd County Courthouse (1835-1857) Todd County, Kentucky's first courthouse was built at the direction of Major John Gray, and completed in 1835. Bricks used were fired on the site. The construction of the courthouse which occupies the center square in Elkton, was authorized by the Fiscal Court, Tuesday, November 11, 1834, at which time they arranged for the selection of a building site.

The Commissioners further mandated the county to meet the cost in three payments, the first of which would come from unappropriated funds, which were being held by the sheriff. Thereafter, the balance would be remitted in two equal payments. Jesse Russell, of Elkton, was employed to supervise the construction, along with Commissioner Hazel Petrie. There are two accounts of the building of the walls. Russell is said to have hired four brickmasons, each of whom was to construct a wall: the mason with the best wall was to receive a gold watch.

In another account, Jesse Russell and another brick mason were said to have boasted on their masonry skills. To settle the dispute, each was told to build a wall. Each man bet upon himself and Russell's wall was superior. The building was completed in 1835.

In 1865, Union troops occupied the Confederate courthouse and later used it as headquarters. After the courthouse was abandoned, the Union troops left the building in shambles. The destruction of the structure brought anger to Todd Countians and six years later, an extensive remodeling project was completed which totally restored and updated the Courthouse.

The town clock was purchased by the city and county in 1888. The clock tower was added at a later time period, during the stick style period. During another restoration project in 1975 the courthouse was designated as a National Historic Landmark. The house is also protected by the National Park Service. In 1961 city officials voted to paint all woodworking and the clock tower white for lack of funds. The clock tower was originally an array of orange, beige, and olive green.

The interior was architecturaly destroyed in 1961 when the layout of the building was compromised and historical moldings and fireplaces were concealed. In the following years the court out-grew the courthouse and moved to a new location in southern Elkton. The courthouse currently stands in downtown Elkton and is owned by the city of Elkton.

[edit] Sources

Todd County Family History Historical evidence provided by the family of Bessie Penick Wakefield Penick Family