Women's Works

                                      

A bit of history on the Old Court House and jail...

The classic brick Greek revival-style structure was built in 1857 by one of the country's prominent architects, John Mills Van Osdel.  Thirty years later, the adjoining Sheriff's House and Jail building was added.  In 1918, famous jailbird Eugene Debs who was instrumental in founding the American Railway Union was held at the court house for his refusal to comply with an injunction during the Pullman Palace Car Company Strike.  After more than a century of serving as the center of local government, the deteriorating complex was vacated in 1972 and scheduled to be demolished.  Saved from the wrecker's ball, Cliff and Bev Ganschow purchased the building.  An extensive renovation program was completed during America's Bicentennial.  Because of their national architectur al significance, both the Old Court HOuse and the Sheriff's House and Jail were designated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, the stately complex is a proud landmark known throughout the area.  Much of its historic space is used by the Old Court House Arts Center's unique galleries.  Throughout the three floors, you can still see the original pressed tin ceilings, impenetrable jail cells, and massive iron vault doors that are beautifully decorated with hand-painted murals and floral motiff.  Old election tallies are recorded and preserved on a giant chalkboard, adding to the historic atmosphere provided by arched doorways, handsome moldings and the elegant winding stairway leading to the magnificent Grand Court Room.  Artists' studios occupy one-time jury sleeping rooms in the south wing.