County Courthouses

Courthouses in Geneva, Nebraska

1st Courthouse

1872 In November, the commissioners made plans for a “temporary courthouse and jail” to be built.  It was to be completed by May 1, 1873 on Lot 83 (which would have been the middle of the 900 block on G Street).  There were two buildings.  One was two stories with the lower story divided into three rooms used by the county clerk, the county treasurer, and the Probate Judge.  The upper floor was used as a courtroom.  The jail was a one-story building.  (At this time, there was only one house and one store in Geneva.)

1876 An addition was built and fireproof safes were purchased.

1878       J. M. Fisher planted trees on the square.  The following year, Peter Youngers planted 50 Austrian pines and 20 cedars.

1880 The courthouse was moved across the street to the “Courthouse Block.”

1884 The Geneva Village Board put down a well on the Courthouse Square and put                           up a windmill for the public.

1886 Nebraska Signal, March 4, 1886

    “Our jail is a blotch on the county.  A man pleads guilty to the crime of selling liquor without a license.  The judge sends him to be confined in the cell of the county jail until he pays his fine and costs and you see him smoking his cigar, as he himself walks from his home about 9 o’clock in the morning, after spending the night with all home comfort, the same as those who are not guilty and who have not violated the laws of the land.  Some are blaming the sheriff; but what can he do?  The jail is not fit for a hog.”

1889 Exeter Enterprise, June 15, 1889

    “Sheriff Carson is busy nailing mosquito bars over the apertures in the jail to keep the prisoners in and the flies out.  The security of this impregnable fortress has been, or is to be rendered certain by a barb wire being thrown around the court house square.  The accomplished gentleman, who stole the pants from Wullbrandt’s store is the only occupant of the jail at present, but a full delegation is expected soon.  Hence these precautions.”

1891 The third story of the Citizens State Bank was rented for county and district court meetings.  

2nd Courthouse

1892 In Sept. at a county board meeting, they resolved to have a fireproof courthouse, cost not to exceed $50,000.

1892 In October, George McDonald’s plans for the courthouse construction were accepted.

1892 In November at a general election, voters approved a bond issue to build a new courthouse.  Plans and specifications were submitted by George E. McDonald of Geneva.  (Also the architect of the main building at the YRTC)

1892 In December, they chose a spot near the center of the courthouse square, and broke ground.  The plow was pulled by a team of oxen.  The board passed a resolution to hire an architect for “a good and sufficient courthouse.”

1893 Nebraska Signal, January 12, 1893

    “$46,176.55 is the lowest bid for the erection of the new court house, and was made by L. F. Pardue of the city.  The county board has not, at this writing, awarded the contract, but it will undoubtedly fall to Mr. Pardue, and justly too, as he is eminently competent to do the work satisfactory.  He has made a specialty of building grain elevators, but has taken other contracts which he carried to a successful termination, of which the Jameson hotel of this city is an example.”

1893 In March, the old building was purchased by George Kenyon and moved to his farm where it was used as a dairy barn.

1893 Fillmore County Republican, March 15, 1893

    “The Court House committee met on Saturday and located the spot to be occupied by our new Court House.  Mr. Pardue, the contractor, has started the wheels and stone is being dumped on the ground with four or five teams.  

       He is asking the county and city authorities for the right-of-way, from the depot to the grounds, and if successful, will lay a track to the building where the material can be taken without the expense and danger of unloading and loading on wagons.  The work will be pushed by Mr. Pardue, with his accustomed vim.”

1893 Workers began to lay the foundation for the new courthouse.  It was designed by George McDonald and built by L. F. Pardue, both of Geneva.  The overall design was a vernacular version of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The bricks were hand pressed from clay on the bank of a creek north of Geneva.  Sidetracks were laid from the Fremont-Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad eastward to the center of the courthouse block to bring construction materials to the grounds.    

1893 On the north, a 125-foot clock tower surmounted the central  entrance pavilion.  Large hallways ran through the center and widened at the main entrance vestibule.  Over 150 windows allowed natural light throughout the courthouse.  The cost of the courthouse was $46,176.55.  The cornerstone was laid on July 6, 1893 with a ceremony and county-wide celebration.  It was estimated that the crowd in town that day was 4,000 to 5,000 people.

1893 Nebraska Signal, September 14, 1893

    “L. F. Pardue had a close call Monday evening.  While standing on the northwest corner of the court house tower arranging the rope to draw up a heavy stone cap, the lifting derrick swerved around and fell with a crash.  Mr. Pardue saw the danger and jumped onto the building about twenty feet below, lighting on the brick top of a vault.  He received no serious injuries but was considerably shaken up.  He was able to attend to his work again Wednesday.” 

1894 County officers moved from the old courthouse to the new building on January 27.

1894 Fillmore County Republican, January 31, 1894

    “The boys have deserted the old Court House and it looks sad and lonely.  Old papers, old books and old bottles--relics of campaigns of years gone by, are lying promiscuously  about--no one to love or caress them longer.  Let them rest.”

1894 The new courthouse was dedicated on Feb. 22.  There were nearly 3,000 people in attendance.  The day began with a parade at 11:00, led by bands from Grafton, West Blue, and the Geneva Cornet Band.  The speaking program began at 1:30--Charles Sloan, Governor Crounse, Attorney General Host, and John Jensen.  The day ended with a ball at the Fraternity Temple Hall and a fireworks display.

1894 Nebraska Signal, November 15, 1894

    “This morning about 1 o’clock, two prisoners in the county jail, known as Will Sheckler and Charley Douglas escaped.

    One of the men feigned sickness and the guard, Bert Herriott, let him into the corridor.  No sooner did he get there than he viciously struck Herriott with some concealed implement, felling him to the floor.  Both men then pounded him into unconsciousness, bound and gagged him.  They then made their escape.

      Young Herriott is in a critical condition and may die from his injuries.  Intense excitement prevails in Geneva and 100 armed men have started in pursuit.  

       The county offers a reward of $200.00 for the apprehension of the felons.”

1900 Geneva Gazette, January 12, 1900

    “The sheriff found the prisoners in the county jail burning up their clothes Friday morning of last week because they were not as clean as they might have been.  They were taken out and introduced to a bathtub after which they exercised their muscles in scrubbing out their present abode.”

1901 The city of Geneva purchased the old jail from the county.  It was moved to property owned by the city north of the water works.  “The contractors tried to move the building without taking out the steel cells, but after they had gone a few rods, they gave up the idea and removed the cells before going farther.”

1905 The Equal Suffrage Club ordered a display fountain that was seen in early pictures on the east side in front. 

1905 The Geneva Commercial Club ordered drinking fountains, two watering troughs for horses, and fifty iron benches.  The groups planted many trees and flowers in preparation for the Woodman Picnic Day in August which would bring several thousand people to Geneva.

1905 The county board approved the use of the northeast room in the basement as a restroom for ladies.  The room was painted and "kalsomined."  The ladies of Geneva were to furnish the room so that it would be a pleasant place for ladies of the county to rest when coming to the county seat for business. 

1907 Slabs of Colorado sandstone were installed as sidewalk in front of the courthouse                 at a cost of $300. 

1907 The bronze urn ordered by the Suffrage Club arrived and was put in place.

1907 About midnight on the 4th, the Company G cannon in front of the courthouse                         park was discharged by boys who loaded the cannon without permission.  The                       concussion broke seven windows in the courthouse.

1909 A large clock purchased from the Howard Company was installed in the                                   courthouse tower by Geneva jeweler, W. P. McCall.  The cost of $1,050 was donated                 by various community members.  The clock had four dials and four sets of hands,              north, south, east, and west.  The bell weighed 1200 pounds and took two months                to make.  It was cast at the famous bell foundry in Troy, NY.  The clock was to strike   every hour and half hour. The county paid $500 and the rest was raised by                                donations.

1909 The bell weighed 1200 pounds and took two months to make.  It was cast at the                   famous bell foundry in Troy, NY.  The clock was to strike every hour and half hour.             The county paid $500 and the rest was raised by donations.

1910 The courthouse was connected to the Electric Company.

1912 Two Civil War gatling guns from the Grand Army of the Republic were donated                   by Charles H. Sloan.  They were placed on the north side of the courthouse.                                (During World War II they were dismantled and used for scrap metal.)

1913 In November, the weight that operated the striking mechanism of the clock of the courthouse tower fell.  It weighed 1,050 pounds and was attached to a steel cable which broke, crushing part of the front streps.  Luckily no one was injured.

1914 They added seats for the courthouse park and made it unlawful for horses to                       trespass in the park.  For many years, the men in the community played croquet on                a specially constructed croquet ground northeast of the courthouse.

1918 A fountain was moved to the north side of the courthouse.

1920 or 30 The building was tuck pointed.  (The mortar evidently broke down over                                     time.)

1927 The fountain in the courthouse park was repaired and rewired for electric                                lights.  A new top decorated the fountain.  It was soon to be painted.

1931 The Sloan-Bolton Post of the American Legion had a newly decorated Legion                         room in the courthouse.

1932 The fountain in the courthouse park was artistically painted by custodian                                Clark with the help of prisoners in the county jail.  With its colored lights, the                         fountain presented an attractive appearance.

1934 A new roof was put on the courthouse.

1934 W. H. Hinkle was the relief director of the Fillmore county FERA, and his                                    office was located in the northeast corner of the courthouse basement.

1937 Cement replaced the sandstone sidewalks.

1938 A resolution was passed stating that the trees on the courthouse lawn should be known as “Fillmore County’s Pioneer Park.”  92 trees were planted. The grounds of the courthouse (called Fillmore Park) were used by a bandstand and picnic tables.  The city of Geneva leased the area for 99 years and planned to use the area for parking.

1949 The first floor casement windows were replaced with glass brick and small metal framed windows.

1950-60’s     Dropped ceilings were installed to reduce heating costs.

1960’s The windows in the courthouse and the east, west, and north entryways were redone.  The first floor entrances were replaced by modern steel and glass doors.

1993 On July 4, a centennial celebration was observed with nearly 500 people in                             attendance.  There was a pancake feed, art in the park, a heritage/craft exhibit,                      and a parade in the morning.  In the afternoon the cornerstone was re-dedicated                   by the Masons.  On hand were Nebraska Senator George Coordsen, U. S. Attorney                 Ronald Lahners, and Congressman Bill Barrett.  The guest speaker  was Dr. Robert            Manley, a William Jennings Bryan portrayer.  Other afternoon activities were the             Centennial belt buckle auction, the Senior Center heritage doll auction, a Centennial           fashion show, Shakespeare and melodrama performances, courthouse tours, a                            barbecue, a concert, and a worship service.

1997 A bond issue of $1,255,000.00 passed to begin renovation and restoration of the courthouse.  An additional $500,000.00 was pledged by the board of supervisors from the county inheritance fund.

1998 Work began to restore and renovate the courthouse.  The basement area, which housed the jail and law enforcement, was completely gutted.  (During this time, the county sheriff’s office was located at 181 No. 9th.)  New water, electrical, and telephone lines were installed.  A sprinkler system and new heating units were installed.  Windows were replaced with more efficient windows  and the tower and chimney were re-bricked.  New wood doors replaced the glass ones on the west, east, and north.  Sidewalks and the fountain were updated.  On the inside, rooms and hallways were repainted with more historic colors and more historic lighting was used.  The wood floors were refinished.

The State/County Welfare and County Veteran’s Service offices were moved from the second floor to 150 No. 9th.  All other offices remained in the courthouse during the renovation.

The jury room was moved from the third floor to the southwest corner of the second floor.  The courtroom was rearranged by turning it 90 degrees which allowed the jury to exit the room to the jury room without having to mix with the public. Restrooms were all made handicap accessible.  Transoms were replaced over the doors.  

2001 Work was completed at a total cost of $2.7 million and a rededication ceremony was held on Sept. 29.  Governor Mike Johanns addressed the crowd.

2002 In the courtroom, a false ceiling was discovered that revealed a cupola that was restored by local artist, Patty Scarborough.

2002 The Fillmore County Courthouse project was the recipient of the prestigious 2002 National Preservation Award, presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D. C. The Courthouse was also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

2020 The courthouse had some repair/tuck pointing on the exterior.

This was ongoing as of the last posting.