Monroe County Courthouse

HISTORY 

Seeing the Monroe County Courthouse now, it would be impressive if you could recognise it when it was first built. The first semblance of this courthouse was a log building called a dog trot with two rooms and a hall between them. The dogtrot cabin was located on the corner of Walnut and Kirkwood across the street from where it is now. At the time, they used it as a jail and for other judicial matters. The small wood cabin did not work for long; in 1819, only a year after the dog trot was built, they started on a new brick courthouse. The brick court house took seven years to build, being completed in 1826 where the courthouse currently stands. 

From 1906 and 1908, they added their next iteration to the courthouse. It was a Beaux Arts style courthouse and is the one we have today. The city left the courthouse’s main structure mostly alone till the 1980’s. In 1980, a nearby county demolished their courthouse to build a new, more modern one. Some Bloomington officials thought they should tear down the courthouse for a new one as well, but the people of Bloomington thought building a new one was a waste of money and would destroy Bloomington history. They started making petitions and protesting, and their efforts were so strong that instead of getting rid of the courthouse, it got a $2.3 million renovation.

ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

If you look up, you'll see the courthouse has many notable features around it. The courthouse has a bronze weathervane in the shape of a fish made by Austin Seward. The reason for the fish is not known, but some speculate that it is a symbol of Christianity. The fish is more than three feet tall and gilded with gold. It was first put on the courthouse in 1820. The fish was even regaled in 1950 bringing it back to its former glory. The city loves the fish so much that in 2018 they held a contest to name it. The city decided on Hoagy, and it has been known as such ever since.  

On each corner around the court house are war memorials; there are Civil War, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War memorials. The memorials aren't only for war, they also have a peace memorial and a Women's Christian Temperance Fountain. 

The final major visual landmark  to note is the four clocks per side. The four small clocks connect to a bigger clock inside. It is a gravity clock that is cranked by hand 25 times per week.  

The Monroe county courthouse has been the site to many events. FOr example, the Handmade Market occurs annually at the courthouse in which local artists sell there art. There is also the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch, an annual event in fall where people buy blown glass pumpkins. Additionally, Witch Fest is a celebration of the anniversary of gather, the local craft store. In the summer, there is the 4th of July Parade Kick Off. There have also been protests at the courthouse for Black Lives Matter  in 2020 and for No Kings Protest in 2025.