Historic building currently being renovated.
By Howard Greninger
Patrick M. Gainor knows every square inch of the Vigo County Courthouse, where he's been a custodian for 17 years.
He's seen many interior color changes and remodeling efforts, even the relocation of a courtroom. The county's 19th-century French neo-baroque style courthouse has had its exterior repaired, including the rebuilding of the south portico that collapsed in November 1992.
Now, an $8 million interior renovation project, which will add a sixth courtroom, is under way. The project is expected to be completed in June or July 2007. Vigo County is paying for the project through a more than $5.5 million bond issue and from a taxpayer-supported cumulative capital development fund.
"This building is worth preserving. Look at all the storms and winters it has been through. This building was built with quality and you can see the pride workers put into this building. This could not be replaced for the $8 million they are putting into it," Gainor said.
"Some people don't see the history in the building, but this was all done before power tools. Look at the arches, each is perfect," Gainor says while pointing below a glass dome on the fourth floor of the courthouse.
"It's unbelievable. If you look at the courthouse and can't see the artwork, then I guess you don't know what art is."
Restoring the interior glass dome in the courthouse is part of the restoration project, along with a glass-block floor between the first and second floor. The floor shows that "Concrete Illuminating Title Co." of Chicago installed the glass. The company's glass block floor was patented by the company on Sept. 26, 1882, according to a stamp on the floor on the east side of the courthouse.
New mechanical, electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems have been installed. The county now expects to award a bid on historic restoration and cosmetic work to the interior by the end of September, said John Hanley, who is overseeing the interior renovation project as operations manager for Construction Technologies Associates Inc.
A two-ton historic bell, made in 1887, is expected again to operate, Hanley said. Clocks below the courthouse's copper-covered dome will be timed to activate a hammer to make the bell toll to the hours. The west end of the courthouse will be the new public entrance when the project is completed. New limestone posts and roof are being considered as a way to make that a more grand entrance, Hanley said.
Chandeliers and wall sconces will help restore the original look of gas lights along public corridors in the courthouse, Hanley said. Interior marble along the corridors will be sanded, re-grouted and sealed under the renovation. Offices off the corridor will be updated to modern standards and include data ports and dropped ceilings.
A paint study in 2003 revealed several shades of green were first used in the courthouse. The study also looked at decorative techniques first used, including gold stenciling.
"This is a huge restoration project that will make it look like it did in 1888 when you walk through the corridors," Hanley said.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis |
| Solid structure: The Vigo County Courthouse viewed from the northeast. A bust of Col. Richard Thompson is in the foreground. |
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COURTHOUSE FAST FACTS
--The present Vigo County Courthouse is the county's third courthouse. The first courthouse was completed in 1822. Work on that building started in 1818, the year Vigo County was formed by the state Legislature.
--It was completed in 1822 and lasted until 1866. A four-story brick building on the northeast corner of Third and Ohio streets became a temporary courthouse for 22 years. The present courthouse was started with the laying of a 10,000-pound cornerstone in August 1884.
--The courthouse was completed in 1888. The courthouse was dedicated on June 7, 1888. Samuel L. Hannaford of Cincinnati was the architect and Terre Haute Stone Co. was the builder.
--The 74,515 square-foot courthouse was built at a cost of $443,000. It is made from Indiana limestone from quarries in Stinesville.
--Col. Francis Vigo, after whom the county is named, in his will gave $500 from his estate for the courthouse bell. The two-ton bell was bought for $2,500.
--The courthouse is 226 feet wide from north to south, 277 feet long from east to west. The total height measured from the ground to the top of the cupola is 284 feet.
--The courthouse has a U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey marker - No. B293 - placed on the north side of the building in 1956. The marker is 3.5 feet above the sidewalk and indicates the courthouse is 506 feet above sea level.
Sources: Vigo County Public Library, Vigo County Historical Museum, National Geodetic Survey