Old Todd County Courthouse
Encyclopedia
Old Todd County Courthouse (1835–1857) Todd County, Kentucky
's first courthouse was built at the direction of Major John Gray, and completed in 1835. The courthouse is a sister building to the Green River Girls School which was built in the same year. Bricks used were fired on the site. The construction of the courthouse which occupies the center square in Elkton
, was authorized by the Fiscal Court, Tuesday, November 11, 1834, at which time they arranged for the selection of a building site.
The Commissioners further mandated the county to meet the cost in three payments, the first of which would come from unappropriated funds, which were being held by the sheriff. Thereafter, the balance would be remitted in two equal payments. Jesse Russell
, of Elkton, was employed to supervise the construction, along with Commissioner Hazel Petrie. There are two accounts of the building of the walls. Russell is said to have hired four brickmasons, each of whom was to construct a wall: the mason with the best wall was to receive a gold watch.
In another account, Jesse Russell and another brick mason were said to have boasted on their masonry skills. To settle the dispute, each was told to build a wall. Each man bet upon himself and Russell's wall was superior. The building was completed in 1835.
In 1865, Union
troops occupied the Confederate
courthouse and later used it as headquarters. After the courthouse was abandoned, the Union troops left the building in shambles. The destruction of the structure brought anger to Todd Countians and six years later, an extensive remodeling project was completed which totally restored and updated the Courthouse.
The town clock was purchased by the city and county in 1888. The clock tower was added at a later time period, during the stick style period. During another restoration project in 1975 the courthouse was designated as a National Historic Landmark
. The house is also protected by the National Park Service
. In 1961 city officials voted to paint all woodworking and the clock tower white for lack of funds. The clock tower was originally an array of orange, beige, and olive green.
The interior architecture was destroyed in 1961 when the layout of the building was compromised and historical moldings and fireplaces were concealed. In the following years the court out-grew the courthouse and moved to a new location in southern Elkton. The courthouse currently stands in downtown Elkton and is owned by the city of Elkton.
Historical evidence provided by the family of Bessie Penick Wakefield
Penick Family
Todd County, Kentucky
Todd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 11,971. Its county seat is Elkton. The county is named after Colonel John Todd, who was killed at the Battle of Blue Licks in 1782...
's first courthouse was built at the direction of Major John Gray, and completed in 1835. The courthouse is a sister building to the Green River Girls School which was built in the same year. Bricks used were fired on the site. The construction of the courthouse which occupies the center square in Elkton
Elkton, Kentucky
Elkton is a city in and the county seat of Todd County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,984 at the 2000 census. The city was founded by Major John Gray...
, was authorized by the Fiscal Court, Tuesday, November 11, 1834, at which time they arranged for the selection of a building site.
The Commissioners further mandated the county to meet the cost in three payments, the first of which would come from unappropriated funds, which were being held by the sheriff. Thereafter, the balance would be remitted in two equal payments. Jesse Russell
Jesse Russell
Jesse Eugene Russell is an African-American inventor and one of the visionaries’ whose innovative perspectives profoundly influenced the wireless communications industry, the driver of growth in 21st century...
, of Elkton, was employed to supervise the construction, along with Commissioner Hazel Petrie. There are two accounts of the building of the walls. Russell is said to have hired four brickmasons, each of whom was to construct a wall: the mason with the best wall was to receive a gold watch.
In another account, Jesse Russell and another brick mason were said to have boasted on their masonry skills. To settle the dispute, each was told to build a wall. Each man bet upon himself and Russell's wall was superior. The building was completed in 1835.
In 1865, Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
troops occupied the Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
courthouse and later used it as headquarters. After the courthouse was abandoned, the Union troops left the building in shambles. The destruction of the structure brought anger to Todd Countians and six years later, an extensive remodeling project was completed which totally restored and updated the Courthouse.
The town clock was purchased by the city and county in 1888. The clock tower was added at a later time period, during the stick style period. During another restoration project in 1975 the courthouse was designated as a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. The house is also protected by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. In 1961 city officials voted to paint all woodworking and the clock tower white for lack of funds. The clock tower was originally an array of orange, beige, and olive green.
The interior architecture was destroyed in 1961 when the layout of the building was compromised and historical moldings and fireplaces were concealed. In the following years the court out-grew the courthouse and moved to a new location in southern Elkton. The courthouse currently stands in downtown Elkton and is owned by the city of Elkton.
Sources
Todd County Family HistoryHistorical evidence provided by the family of Bessie Penick Wakefield
Penick Family
Penick Family
The Penick Family were wealthy plantation owners in Todd County, Kentucky, in the United States, from 1820 to 1920. The Penick family amassed a great amount of land in the Allensville, Kentucky area of around 5,000 acres during the height of their farming operations. The Plantation was lost in...