Indiana Courthouses - Morgan County Traditional Cache

This is what I hope will become a series of caches for several Indiana counties. The 92 Indiana courthouses include many examples of some magnificent architecture. The 50 years following the Civil War saw many counties make serious investments in new courthouses. Sometimes the expenditures nearly equaled the value of the entire county. Many of these courthouses are still in use today and are still the most striking buildings in those county seats.

This entry in the series is for Morgan County. This is courthouse was built between 1857-1859 and is one of the few pre-Civil War courthouses still being used. The exterior is in the Italianate style, which is also a rarity in Indiana. The courthouse was an identical twin to the courthouse in Jennings County, until an extension was added to the Morgan County courthouse in the mid-1970's.

The courthouse was damaged by fire in 1876, an all too common occurence with Indiana courthouses of the 19th century. In the early 1970's debate began on whether the county should build a new courthouse or refurbish the old one. Eventually, those wanting restoration won out. Not only was the existing courthouse refurbished, but a large extension was added to the east end of the building.


Specifications for the courthouse are:

Built: 1857-1859

Architect: Isaac Hodgson

General Contractor: Perry M Blankenship, Martinsville

Cost: $32,000