National Register of Historic Places

Hillsdale County Courthouse

Hillsdale, Hillsdale County, Michigan
Listed
August 10, 1982
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
82002835

About this property

The Hillsdale County Courthouse is a government building located at 29 North Howell Street in Hillsdale, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1969 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Hillsdale County was set off from Lenawee County in 1829. The original county seat, Jonesville, was chosen in 1831. In 1839, the more centrally located Hillsdale began agitating for the seat, and in 1843 the state legislature agreed. A temporary structure was erected as a courthouse on this site; it was soon followed by a 30 feet (9.1 m) by 50 feet (15 m) frame structure. That structure burned in 1849, and a new sandstone courthouse was completed by early 1851. By 1887, it was recognized that a new courthouse was necessary. However, voters did not approve the funds necessary until 1898, when $45,000 was allocated for this building. The county hired Claire Allen of Jackson to design the building and Geake and Henry of Fort Wayne, Indiana to construct it. Construction occurred over 1898-99, and the building was dedicated on September 6, 1899. A clock was added to the clock tower in 1909, and was refurbished in 1985. The Hillsdale County Courthouse is a three-story yellow sandstone Renaissance Revival structure. Its hip roof is surmounted with a copper-roofed cupola. A pedimented portico covers the main entrance.

Location

Hillsdale, Hillsdale County, Michigan
41.92056, -84.63156

Categories

POLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Hillsdale Downtown Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Kirby, William R., Sr., House
Industrial
2.8 mi
Grosvenor, E. O., House
Industrial
4.5 mi
Deal, J.J., and Son Carriage Factory
Industrial
4.6 mi
Grace Episcopal Church
Industrial
4.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was Hillsdale County Courthouse listed on the National Register?

Hillsdale County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 1982.

What type of historic resource is Hillsdale County Courthouse?

Hillsdale County Courthouse is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Hillsdale County Courthouse?

The period of significance for Hillsdale County Courthouse is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Hillsdale County Courthouse?

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