1st Courthouse on the square built 1818

This court house was built in 1818, replacing the log court house used 3 years after Allen County was proclaimed.  In 1818 there was built what was then considered a modern two storied structure of brick, which served its purposes for 85 years and was displaced by the next building in 1905.  The jail was on second floor, reached by iron steps in the back.  This photo was reproduced from an old print dated 1884 or 1885. This building also served briefly as a fort during Allen County's one Civil War battle.  A detachment of the Kentucky Mounty Infantry under the command of Colonel Gililam held the building during a fight with Confederate Cavalrymen.  One of the latter was killed. 

There was a building separate from the court house which is shown in the same photo - at the left is the Circuit Court Clerk's office and at the right is the office of the County Court Clerk.

(photo by Joyce Weaver)