The Court House building of the city of Washington Court House holds a lot of historical significance.
The Court House that is standing now is the 3rd one to be built in this town. Having now stood longer then either of its' 2 predessors it also is the record holder as the oldest Court House still in use in Ohio. There are Memorials and Historical Markers on the front lawn relating some of the history of the Court House and the city.
There is and interesting plaque found near the Court St. entrance that tells about this building was truly paid for and the sacrifces the people of Washington Court House made.
In 1894 Jasper Dolby pleaded guilty to an attack on a women after being captured by deputy sheriff James F. Cook Jr. The women's friends and family where so outraged by this crime that they gathered on the grounds of the Court House. Governonr William McKinley was contacted about the sitution and a company of troops were sent at once to help restore order. As the prisioner was transported from the Sheriff's Office to the Court House an attempted to take custody of the prisioner was thwarted by these troops by use of fixed bayonets. As the evening wore on the sheriff telegraphed Adjutant-General Howe for even more troops. Soon the building was surrounded by troops. This did not stop the townspeople from storming the doors on the Court St. side of the building. They were warned that if they did not stop they would be fired upon. Soon after another attempt to was made and Colonel Coit ordered his troops to open fire. Firing blindly through the solid doors resulted in 5 deaths and about 20 others injured. This deadly incident is now known as the Court House Riot.
This beautiful building holds the murals of one of America's most historic painters, Mr. Archibald Willard. Noted for his 1876 painting "The Spirit of '76" he was commissioned to decorate the dome of the Court House. Opened in 1885 the murals “The Spirit of the Telegraph,” “The Spirit of Electricity,” and “The Spirit of the U.S. Mail.” are still displayed.