A SHORT HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE FIRES

A SHORT HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE FIRES

The first Courthouse was a 30x40 log cabin built in 1795, which was located in Public Square across from the present location of the U. S. Post Off ice and Federal Courthouse at 5th Street between Main and Walnut Streets. This original Courthouse was burned by Indians and replaced by a brick building in 1802. During the War of 1812, it was used as military barracks, and was set on fire in 1813 by the soldiers. Virtually all of the records were destroyed during this fire.

In 1819, the Courthouse was rebuilt and was again destroyed by fire in 1849. The Courthouse was rebuilt in 1851, but it too was consumed by fire during the riot of 1884. Occupancy of the present Courthouse commenced in 1886, and the final addition was completed in 1918.

After each fire, a notice was published in the newspaper for the benefit of any persons wishing to have their documents, such as marriage records and wills, restored and re-entered as public records. As the result of the four separate fires, the records prior to 1884 have been reconstructed but they are not all intact. Some of the records have been restored; some of the records have been reconstructed by affidavit; some records have been copied from the original records; and some records have been salvaged, but have been partially damaged by fire, water or smoke.

In your search of older records, you may not find that which you seek. The four Courthouse fires probably account for their absence. The records which have survived represent the labor and dedication of many employees and volunteers from past generations who diligently worked to preserve Courthouse records f or their posterity.

Judge Wayne F. Wilke

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This page was last updated and edited on 16 December 1999