Monroe County Courthouse
The Monroe County Courthouse is the seat of government for Monroe County and is the traditional center of Bloomington. The third courthouse to stand on the Downtown Square, the current courthouse was built in 1907 during a time of great prosperity. Wing & Mahurin designed the building. The Courthouse is the only building on the 1907 Courthouse Block, and the centerpiece of the Courthouse Square Historic District. The lawn and sidewalk surrounding the courthouse are frequently used for civic events, festivals, protests and other events. There are also many benches and areas for people to sit or lie down.
The building's official address is 100 W. 5th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404.
- Geocoordinates: Map from Google
- Elevation: 239 meters (785 feet)
- Business Hours: 8am - 4pm
Monuments on the Courthouse Square
Monroe County's first court house consisted of two log cabins. They were built in 1818 by Samuel Elliott at the site of the old Monroe County jail for the sum of $400. Of the two cabins, one measured 20x20 feet and the other 12x20 feet. They were separated by a distance of ten feet and under one roof. Each cabin had one door, and the two doors faced each other. A window in each cabin faced the east in order to take advantage of the morning light.
Construction of a more permanent courthouse was started in 1819. It was to be a two-story, brick structure, about 40x45 feet, on what is now the courthouse square. John Ketcham was the contractor. After many delays, the new court house was ready for occupancy in 1826. The total cost was $8,300.00.
In 2007, the dome of the courthouse was refinished to its original copper color, which restorationists said it should retain for about 20 years until it beings to turn green again.
In September of 2008, old style lightposts where added at the 8 sidewalk entrances to the courthouse square.
Offices in the courthouse
Additional county offices are located in the Justice Building.