Pulaski County Courthouse: A Colorful History
The Pulaski County Courthouse, built in 1895, is the third to be located on the courthouse square in Winamac and the fourth government center since the formation of the county in 1839. The first courthouse, a "good hewed log house" held both the first circuit court and a school. In 1843, the county commissioners began the construction of a frame courthouse on a donated lot but soon ran out of money; the building was finally completed in 1849.
A second courthouse, a large two-story brick building, was completed in 1862. The county jail, a separate building, stood alongside it on the public square.
By 1890, talk again turned to improving the seat of government.
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Next month we'll bring you the plans to save the Courthouse. |
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Seeking Volunteer Curator |
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We are looking for a volunteer curator - or a couple of people that would like to serve as co-curators - for our historical museum.
The curator is a key member of our team and would also be a member of the Historical Society Board of Director's Executive Committee.
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Over 97% of our newsletters are delivered via email. To become more nimble in our information and marketing efforts, we have moved to an all-email platform. We will gladly continue to print and mail the newsletter to you, but your experience will be somewhat diminished. Please consider supplying an email address to receive the highest quality product. Send your full name and email address to: info@pulaskihistory.net.
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Pulaski County Gives Thanks |
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This photo and informatin for the article was taken from the Things To Do Outdoors on the South Shore Indiana website.
Placed On The 10 Most Endangered List, Then Removed
May 1, 2019: The Pulaski County Courthouse has made Indiana Landmarks’ annual 10 Most Endangered List. Last December, county officials unveiled a preliminary plan that involved demolishing the 1895 courthouse and adding onto the Justice Center. Todd Zeiger, the director of Indiana Landmarks’ northern regional office, says the goal [of placing it on the list] is to focus attention on the situation, as well as possible solutions. “The Pulaski County Courthouse is a really key landmark in the community and one of Indiana’s cherished historic courthouses,” he said, “and it’s one that we believe has a long life ahead of it, if there’s some investment put into renovation and upgrades.” And then....
January 25, 2020: Pulaski County residents and preservation advocates received a welcome Christmas gift last month, when Pulaski County Commissioners voted unanimously to rehabilitate the county’s historic courthouse.... The vote followed a presentation by Indianapolis-based Rowland Design, which laid out three options for meeting the county’s needs for security, building maintenance, and accessibility accommodations. The plan adopted is the “middle option,” which relocates remaining court functions from the historic courthouse to a new addition at the Justice Center. The courthouse itself will be fully renovated to address a backlog of long-needed maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. The building will also be made fully accessible.
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A Poem By Willard C. Myers |
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From The Francesville Tribune July 13, 1972, Written January 1, 1971
This is a continuation of the poem, begun in the Newsletter dated June 2020. You can find past editions of the Newsletter HERE.
Stanzas 13 - 16
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I can see old Barney Hubbard
Tuning up a car,
And making awful faces
As he chewed on his cigar.
And Cecil Mallon trimming
Up the windows in his store,
And as I write these verses
Oh! I see a whole lot more.
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I still can see old Doctor Sharrer
Come down the street to get his mail,
Then start his daily house calls
Every morning without fail.
I even see Nate Roberts
Driving Marion Owens' dray;
"The Local" just has come to town
And he's got a busy day.
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Willard C. Myers is connected to the town of Francesville through birth and remaining family. We will continue to feature this poem until we have offered it to completion. Natives will probably recognize many of the people and places that will be mentioned. |
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A Gift That Keeps Giving
For the persons on your gift list that have everything they need, or for those who value history, make a contribution to the Historical Society in their name. We'll send a card to you for their holiday stocking.
Find a convenient way to do that here. |
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A Curiosity
Whereas the Board has determined that it is for the best interests of Pulaski County to sell 675 feet of iron fence taken from around the Court House Square in Winamac, Indiana.
It is therefore ordered by the Board that said fence be sold at public auction to the highest bidder, except that no bid less than 40 cents per running foot be received on Thursday the 15th day of November 1894 at the County Poor Farm. That one half of the purchase price be required in cash on the day of sale, and the residue in one year from the day of sale, the purchaser giving his note therefore with 8 per cent interest, and attorney fees, waiving valuation and appraisement laws with approved personal security. And the Board further orders that the County Auditor, either in person or by deputy, set as auctioneer of said sale.
Commissioners Court Monday September 10th, 1894
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Heating The Courthouse
Ordered by the Board that the County Auditor be authorized to procure wood for county, the same to be delivered ready for use at the various offices and Court Room.
Commissioners Court Special Session February 5, 1895
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Ned Gorrell (newspaper editor) told a story that took place when the courthouse was completed.
He was just a boy when two flat slabs, five or six feet square, appeared on the north front, one on each side of the main door.
He recalled the curiosity with which the youngsters regarded these unpretty slabs.
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No one seemed to be able to tell why they had been left. Then one day some workmen put up a scaffold in front of them, and a clever workman climbed up to cut a huge face on each one.
In reply to questions, as Ned heard it, he said the faces "don't mean a darned thing" but were carved merely because the architect had put them in his original drawing.
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On Tuesday, 7 November 1894, the newspaper headlines read: "IN PLACE!" The Corner Stone of the New Court House Laid with Imposing Ceremony - and Mortar.
One of the high spots of the day was when a copper box was placed in the corner stone. Among the treasures inserted were a photograph of the old frame courthouse built in 1849, another of the brick building erected in 1862, and copies of the last issue of each of the Winamac newspapers.
Between 2,500 and 3,000 people attended the ceremony.
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The Building Was Accepted Without A Clock |
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From Commissioners Notes 6 September 1895: In relation to the acceptance of the New Court House the full Board in company with the Architect A.W. Rush looked over the Building and being fully informed on all matters pertaining thereto, decided to accept the building without the clock, the price of said clock ($300.00) to be deducted from the contract price of the building and said contractor is hereby released from all further responsibility on account of the contract for the erection and completion of said Court House Building.
The courthouse here still needed a clock. The one offered by Gibson would have cost $300. The line on expenses had to be drawn somewhere.
The clock that was eventually installed cost $700. But it was the principle of the thing....
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Saving Places That Enrich Lives |
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Indiana Landmarks
In addition to giving tremendous financial and technical support for the local Courthouse project, Indiana Landmarks provides a wealth of information about and support for vintage homes and factories, churches, barns and bridges.
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Support Indiana Landmarks. Join to help save the historic places that make our communities more beautiful, more interesting, singular and special. LINK
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Pulaski County Historical Society |
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President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary (& Genealogist): Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: Dr. Natalie Tucker
Historian: Karen Fritz
Terms Ending 2021:
- Brian Capouch
- Ryan Crawford
- Judge Michael Shurn
Terms Ending 2022:
- Sara Kroft
- Jolie Simmermaker
- Vacancy
Terms Ending 2023
- Mary Conner
- Becky Dilts
- Steve Morrison
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Membership
$30 Individual
$40 Family
$80 Sustaining / Corporate
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Contributors to this edition: Janet Onken, Kathi Thompson |
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