I got that dreaded letter in the mail recently: I was being summoned for jury duty! Because I'm a…read moreresident of Hamilton County, I had to report to this particular court house. My experience being called for jury duty was fine. The people who work here are very professional and efficient. The building itself is beautiful. If you do have to serve on a jury and spend some time here, there are lots of restaurant options to choose from. I ended up being dismissed before lunch. Keep in mind that they don't allow you to park outside of the courthouse itself. There's a free parking garage a block away at which jurors are instructed to park. I would add an additional 10 minutes to your trip to find parking and walk to the courthouse. It's not far away, but there's a traffic light that takes a while. Also keep in mind: Before you enter the courthouse, you have to walk through a body scanner and empty your pockets. It's very easy but also kind of a pain, but I guess it's necessary in these strange and unpredictable times.

This review is for the Clerk's Office of Hamilton County. I needed a copy of my 45 year old…read moreMarriage License for the new Real ID Driver's License. So off we go to Noblesville. After the quick security check, the women at the Information Desk explained directions clearly and made it very easy to find. What a pleasant surprise when we walked into the Clerk's Office without a line or even a wait. Asked what I needed, I told her and she didn't bat an eye, roll her eyes or take the deep, loud sigh. She was friendly, professional, personable and efficient!! She continued and less than 5 minutes later I had the Certified License in my hands! Poof! Was that a dream? Wow! We were happily stunned with the entire process. The experience felt like we had a personal friend behind the counter. If you need to get an old Marriage License don't totally dread the process. Hopefully, yours will go as smoothly as ours.

I've been visiting West Lafayette for many years but never noticed this magnificent fountain until…read moremy visit to the Courthouse in September. The fountain is amazing - my first thought was just "wow". The fountain was designed by Laredo Taft in 1887. The statue honors General Lafayette, the city namesake. His figure stands majestically over the pool below. Panels around the base also honor John Purdue (namesake of Purdue University), an artesian well beneath the fountain, early pioneers of the city, Union solders who fought in the Civil War, and William Digby (founder of Lafayette). The fountain is surrounded by beautiful landscaping. Local business workers sat around the fountain eating lunch or reading in the serene setting and the sounds of the fountain water. There is free street parking about a block away. The fountain and Courthouse are definitely worth a visit.

Famous American sculptor Lorado Taft from Illinois was selected to create the magnificent fountain…read moreon the northeast corner of the Tippecanoe County Courthouse. In 1887, the piece was erected on the site and appears to have undergone some TLC along with the courthouse. The main figure atop the fountain is that of the Marquis de Lafayette who was instrumental in helping the inexperienced and underfunded American military during the Revolutionary War. Below that life sized figure, there are four oval reliefs and below that, an octagonal shape with each of the sides bearing an ornate framing around the names of honorees with ties to the city. Honorees are quite varied and include pioneers, soldiers, John Purdue, and William Digby, the town founder. Earlier versions of the courthouse are also honored. Although the honorees may be somewhat random, the overall beauty of the work is fantastic. Review #1410

The Indiana Women's Legacy Memorial is the largest memorial in the state of Indiana that honors…read morewomen. The statue stands on the northeast corner of the courthouse square in Howard's County. Three bronze sculptures depicting women soldiers and a "Rosie Riveter-type" figure stand on pedestals. The words Honor, Duty and Faith are carved on the pedestals. A placard on the State of Indiana says "This memorial is dedicated to Hoosier Daughters for their time in service to our state and nation during war and peace. May their deeds not be forgotten." The memorial was designed by Jerry Paul, President of the Howard County Veteran's Memorial Corporation. The bronze sculptures were created by artist, Benjamin Matthew Victor. The memorial was dedicated on August 6, 2021. This memorial speaks to me because my mother served as an Air Force nurse. During my visit a number of other visitors took photos, posing with the figures. A nice park benches sit adjacent to the memorial and a lovely flower garden surrounds the area. There is plenty of free parking on the square and the memorial is ADA accessible.

Almost every county in the Midwest has a courthouse that stands on a "square" and is surrounded by…read morehundred year old buildings that have housed various businesses throughout time. The courthouse in Boone County is a typical Midwestern "county seat". The classical revival building, designed by J. T. Hutton, was constructed 1909-1911 of Bedford limestone and granite. The interior of the building still has its original amazing oak trim and most of the original decor. The dome of the building is composed of beautiful art glass. The primary purpose of the building is to house judicial functions and county services. You can pay taxes, vote or check on property information in the courthouse. The square has been updated nicely over the pass couple years. There are a couple restaurants and a few shops on the square. In the warmer months, part of street will host a local farmers market.

First, the staff is super friendly and I want to give a special shout-out to Mike and the deputy…read morethat pointed out special features if this remarkable courthouse. People that work in this building are clearly proud of the history and significance to their community. The city of Tipton is the county seat for Tipton County. You can see the bell tower of the courthouse from several miles away driving pass cornfields. The courthouse sits in a small, but immaculate square. The landscaping is lovely and the benches inviting. A Veteran's Memorial stands directly in front of the building. A historical marker indicates that the sandstone building is Romanesque Classical Revival Style and was designed by the same architect that designed the Indiana Statehouse, Adolph Scherrer. The building has served Tipton County since 1894. The basement level is filled with display cases housing Tipton County artifacts. The original clock pendulum is displayed in the basement. The deputy indicated that the pendulum fell through to the second floor years ago and was replaced by a new mechanism. The Victorian era woodwork, floors and most of the furniture is the original to the building. In the courtroom are wrought iron and oak benches that are in amazing condition. The Recorder's Office looks identical to photos taken in the 1880's with massive record books and large desks. Visiting these spaces is like taking a step back in time. In 1988, remodeling took place to update the building and it was necessary to add drop ceilings to cover new ductwork and wiring. This change covered some original artwork on the ceilings. In addition, entryways were modified to improve accessibility. There is plenty of parking around the building. Worth a visit by historians and architecture lovers.

The Wells County Chamber is a valuable asset to our community. The Chamber employees go the extra…read moremile to help businesses in the community connect and succeed. If you are looking to setup a new business in Wells County, I would highly recommend you make the Chamber your first call.

From the owner: Business Resources and Networking, Community Partnerships…read more Services: Training and Networking Opportunities, Advocacy Efforts, Leadership Academy, Community Engagement and Partnerships, Small Business Loan Information and Resources, Shop Local, Member2Member and Mentoring Programs, Economic Development, Business to Business and Marketing Services, Quality of Life, Place and Downtown Revitalization Efforts, Business Credibility, Referrals and Training, Off-Site Meeting Space, Tourism. Location Facts: On The Banks of Wabash River. Off of State Road 1. 3 Blocks from the Courthouse.

The historic Hamilton County Courthouse in Noblesville is one of the older functioning courthouses…read morein the state, dedicated in 1878. The building was designed by famous Indianapolis architect, Edwin Mays, but completed by J. C. Johnson. (Mays went on to design the Indiana Statehouse, but became paralyzed during the project and died in 1880.) The courthouse is French Second Empire and I think the French influence is evident from grand facade outside. The clocktower has been replaced due to failure of the original structure (similar to the Montgomery County Courthouse clocktower). Inside, the staff is friendly. The deputy welcomed me, told me where to find courthouse artifacts and encouraged me to peek inside the courtroom. Other staff members also asked if I needed assistance. The courthouse has undergone numerous renovations throughout the years and offices are 1990's "modern" while the halls are original. Most notable are the twin staircases with short bannisters and steps. The floors are a mix of marble and mosaic tile. Some of the original cabinetry stands in the halls. Lovely leaded glass windows crown entryways. Unlike other Indiana courthouses, there is no grand dome that can be seen from the inside. The original bench of the courtroom has been maintained, while seating was updated at some point. A plaque notes the 1925 historic conviction of Klu Klux Klan leader, D. C. Stephenson, for the brutal attack that led to the death of Madge Oberholtzer. Stephenson's conviction contributed to the demise of the Klan. A cabinet on the third floor holds interesting artifacts such as one of the original hands of the clock and photograph of the original building. Today, a tunnel runs from the basement of the courthouse to a government complex across the street. The original sheriff's house and prison sits on the Square, now housing a museum. There is limited parking around the square. The building is accessible through an entrance ramp and there is an elevator inside. I recommend visiting on a Thursday or Friday, when the Sheriff's House/Museum is opened. Around the Square are several good restaurants and antiques shops. Worth a visit, for sure.

Interesting factoid: Carroll County was named after Charles Carroll, who was the last surviving…read moresigner of the Declaration of Independence. The Carroll County Courthouse sits on a square in Delphi, which is the county seat. I like the simplicity of the Courthouse Square. At the southeast corner of the Square is a huge memorial honoring those that fought in the Civil War with the Courthouse behind. Small local businesses and restaurants surround the Square with most architecture original. This is the second courthouse in Delphi. The first courthouse (Victorian Style) was built in 1841 and served the community until 1917. A photo of the original courthouse hangs in the current courthouse. The current Neoclassical Courthouse was designed by the architects of Elmer E. Dunlap Co., Indianapolis. A. E. Kenner completed construction for the opening. The interior of the building is breathtaking. The center atrium is crowned by a magnificent stained glass dome. A beautiful mosaic tiled floor sits beneath the dome. Spiral marble staircases with decorative iron bannisters ascend to the second and third floors. Blue trim sets off the interior. Elmer did a fabulous job. Most of the building is original, including offices and the Circuit Courtroom. The bell from the first courthouse is on display in the lobby. A war honor roll is on the wall. Staff and people I met in the Courthouse were friendly and knowledgeable about the building. The Courthouse is fully operational. The local heath department was handing out free medical supplies. Court was in session. Clerks were available to take various payments. I think there is a museum in the basement, but I missed going down. There's plenty of free parking around the Square. This is a fabulous Courthouse, well worth the drive to Delphi.

The US government courthouse in Indianapolis is another fine example of neoclassical architecture,…read moreand Indiana limestone construction in this city. I am absolutely amazed at the plethora of great architecture in this city. It is truly underrated, and if you're a fan of this type of construction, it is an absolute must visit. The lawn on the courthouse is spacious and well tended, with many mature trees, and beautiful sculpture installations. I have posted just a few photographs to give you a feel for the building and grounds and highly recommend taking a look at this beautiful building when you're in the downtown area.