Indiana County Courthouse Histories

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Dekalb County
Named for: Baron Dekalb (Johann Kalb) - Soldier of Fortune with U.S. in Revolutionary War
Organized: 1837
County Seat: Auburn
Number of Courthouses: 3

Number	Years	Type	Detail
1	1844-1864	Frame	30x40 2-story First court met 4/29/1844 $800; Intentionally burned in Civil War celebration after it had been abandoned and sold.
2	1864-1910	Stylized	Builders: Alpheous Wheelock, William Valleau, John McKay, $23,372. Contract 6/4/1863; Cornerstone 7/1/1863?; Completed 12/1/1864
3	1914-Present	Castle	Arch: Mahurin & Mahurin, 2/15/1910; 146x132 $317,072.14; Builder: J. B. Goodall, 5/4/1911, bid $185,757; Cornerstone 7/27/1911

Early courts were held in the home of Wesley Park and then a schoolhouse.

The large tower of the 1864 Courthouse was justified as a place to hang a large flag to welcome home Civil War soldiers.

The 1864 Courthouse is very similar to the 1858 Huntington and 1869 Steuben Courthouses except for the front tower.

The three courthouses had different builders.

The 1914 Courthouse has a well-appointed interior with a beautiful rotunda.

A report of a major fire in 1913 exists, but this has not been confirmed and appears to be a false report.

There is a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the Rotunda of the 1914 courthouse.