Union County, Ohio
Union County, Ohio, was established on April 1, 1820. The county was
created from the "union" of portions of Delaware, Franklin, Logan,
and Madison Counties, and a section of former Native American
territory. The first seat of justice was in the village of Milford
with court sessions held in the tavern of Nathaniel Kazar. In 1822,
The county seat was moved to Marysville where court sessions were
held in the tavern of Matthias Collins until a courthouse was erected
later that year on East Fifth Street. This structure was replaced in
1838 with the construction of a two story brick building located on
the Public Square. This courthouse served the county for nearly fifty
years before the county decided to construct the current courthouse,
built from 1880 to 1883.
Union County Courthouse
The Union County Courthouse was designed by Toledo architect David W.
Gibbs (1836-1917) using elements of Italianate and Second Empire
architectural styles. Toledo contractor Karst & Woodruff was hired in
the fall of 1880, work on the building started later that year. The
building was constructed of brick and Berea stone and rises 168 feet
high, four stories tall. Lady Justice stands ten feet tall and is
surmounted atop the cupola. The tower is built entirely of wrought
iron, originally containing a striking tower-clock with illuminated
dials, seven feet in diameter, manufactured by E. Howard & Co., of
Boston, Massachusetts. The finished building was dedicated on January
27, 1883, at a total cost of $135,015 and was praised for its "beauty,
elegance and convenience." The courthouse was renovated from 1992
to 1994 and still serves the citizens of Union County.
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