Indiana County Courthouse Histories
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Delaware County
Named for: Delaware Indians
Organized: 1827
County Seat: Muncie
Number of Courthouses: 4
| Number | Years | Type | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1829-1837 | Frame | 20x40 2-story;Fire - extent unknown; Not on square |
| 2 | 1837-1885 | Coffee Mill | Builder: Morgan John 45x45 Modeled after the high quality of Centerville's Courthouse although bid with cheaper techniques. Builder upgraded to Centerville's standards, went over $1000-$1500, and went bankrupt. |
| 3 | 1887-1969 | Castle | Arch: Brentwood Tolan 155x110 $227,250.06; Builder: Charles Pearce & Co., 11/6/1884, Accepted 8/13/1887, $195,618.46 Cornerstone 7/23/1885 |
| 4 | 1969-Present | Modern | Hamilton, Graham Associates and George W. Cox, $2.4M per J.Dilts |
The name Muncie has been used since 1845; previously the town name was Munseytown, Muncietown, or Muncie Town. Munsey is a branch of the Delaware Indians.
The 1887 Courthouse was a beautiful structure, and had they waited a few years before tearing it down, the public would probably not have allowed it. It is of a style similar to remaining courthouses in Parke and Kosciusko Counties. It was the third and largest of the three. Brentwood Tolan's father, Thomas was responsible for the earlier two, but after his death in 1883 Brentwood became responsible for the architectural firm.
A fire 3/10/1865 caused loss of commissioners records. The fire was not in the courthouse.
Delaware County has a WWI Doughboy statue but it is not on the courthouse square.