1847/1861/1902

Allen County Courthouse Desk

In 1831, eight years after the establishment of Allen County, county leaders decided to build a court-house and the county clerk was instructed to advertise for bids. The winning bid was for $3,321.00, but the building was never completely finished and, eventually, was deemed unsafe due to poor construction. In 1841, a plan was approved for a new county courthouse, not to exceed $15,000. It was completed in 1847, but only eleven years later it was determined to be too small for the needs of the county. The third Allen County courthouse was a large brick structure completed in 1861. The surrounding green was the scene of many patriotic gatherings during the Civil War and post-bellum era, but by the 1890s, the building was deemed old and inadequate and had to be replaced.

Designed by architect Brentwood Tolan, the cornerstone of the fourth and current courthouse was set on 17 November 1897. Completed at a cost of over $800,000, the building was dedicated on 23 Septem-ber 1902. The crown of the building is the copper-sheathed dome on which turns the 14-foot copper wind vane of the Goddess of Liberty. She views the city 255 feet above street level. In 2003, the Allen County Courthouse was named a United States National Historical Landmark after extensive renovation from 1993 to 2002.

This desk was crafted out of walnut with an interior framing of poplar. It has turned legs and two drawers. The slanted front can be raised to reveal nine interior document compartments. The desk was used in Allen County courthouses from 1847 until about 1902 when the current courthouse was completed. Its scratched, gouged and ink-stained surface shows evidence of long use.