Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse in Evansville, IN
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Vanderburgh County Courthouses: Then and Now

David L. Rice Library
3–4 minutes

part of the Then and Now continuing series about the March of Time

Did you know that Evansville/Vanderburgh County has had 4 courthouses?  If you are local, you surely are aware of the large Beaux Arts building downtown that is referred to as the “old courthouse.”  Well, that’s only the third courthouse!

Vanderburgh County was established on January 7, 1818, formed from portions of Gibson, Posey, and Gibson Counties. The first temporary courthouse was housed in city founder Hugh McGary’s log cabin.  An official courthouse was built in 1820. 

There are no official images of either the cabin or 1820 courthouse, but there are some artistic interpretations of McGary’s cabin.

“This oil on board painting is Nelson Wilson’s (1889-1950) 1945 vision of Hugh McGary, Evansville’s founder, at his cabin near present-day Main Street and Riverside Drive.”  Image and text courtesy of Tom Lonnberg, Chief Curator & Curator of History at the Evansville Museum, found here.
“This painting by artist Calvin Maglinger (1924-2010) is an interpretation of Evansville founder Hugh McGary, Jr. at a cabin near the mouth of Pigeon Creek on the Ohio River.”  Text and image courtesy of Evansville Museum’s Facebook page, as written by Tom Lonnberg, Chief Curator & Curator of History at the Evansville Museum page, found here.

The second “old courthouse” was built on the north corner of Main and Third Streets 1852-1855.  Just as it was being finished in December 1855 it was destroyed by fire, only to be rebuilt by 1857.

Second Vanderburgh County Courthouse.  MSS 157-0446, the Schlamp -Meyer Family Collection
The current “old” courthouse in 1927.  MSS 288-0727, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science Collection

It soon was clear that this courthouse was not large enough, and by 1873 land was purchased for a newer, larger facility.  Plans were drawn up in 1886 and a contract let in 1887.  By 1890-1891 the newest “old” courthouse was ready for occupation.  The building seen above was soon razed and the building seen below occupied.

The current “old” courthouse in 1927.  MSS 288-0727, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science Collection

This old courthouse has many beautiful embellishments.  Its address is 214 NW 4th St., and it has entrances on NW 4th St., NW 5th St., Vine St., and Court St. 

NW 5th St. side of the old courthouse, 1970.  This “grouping of three statues thought to represent justice is found above the Fifth Street entryway to the Old Courthouse.  The central figure holds the scales of justice in her left hand, with a staff in her right hand.  The symbolism of the three raised fingers at the top of her staff as well as the serpent intertwined in her hair is unclear.  The statue on the left holds a tablet in her left hand while the statue on the right holds a torch in her right hand.”  MSS 184-0188, the Brad Awe Collection
Court St. side of the old courthouse, 1970. These cherubs appear on both the Court St. and the Vine St. sides, but in reverse order.  MSS 84-0196, the Brad Awe Collection
This carving appears on both the 4th and 5th St. sides of the old courthouse.  Shown here is a carving of the Seal of the State of Indiana, depicting a wooded scene with a hunter and buffalo and encircled with giant oak leaves symbolizing distinction.  MSS 184-0198, the Brad Awe Collection

The government moved out of this building in 1969; the building still stands, just not serving an official function. Here is the building that serves the same purpose today: the Winfield K. Denton (named for the U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 8th Congressional district 1955-1966) Federal Building at 101 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (7th St. at the time).  This building serves as United States court house.

Winfield K. Denton Federal Building , 1970.  MSS 184-0291, the Brad Awe Collection

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