Indiana County Courthouse Histories
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Carroll County
Named for: Charles Carroll - Statesman and last surviving Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Organized: 1828
County Seat: Delphi
Number of Courthouses: 3
| Number | Years | Type | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1838-1856 | Coffee Mill | Builders: Theophilus Hardman May 1831, Then John Dollason. 50x50 A significant part of payment to contractors was in town lots. |
| 2 | 1859-1916 | Castle | Arch & Supt: Martin J. McBird, December 1855 - Plans $125 Builder: James Woods & James Rodifer, Contract 4/9/1856, Bid $32,300, Paid $33,500 $41,000 |
| 3 | 1917-Present | Castle | Arch: Elmer E. Dunlap Builder: A.E Kemmer Cornerstone 9/4/1916 $250,000 |
Previous to the first courthouse, courts were held in the residence of Daniel Baum (1828-1829), a school (1829-1830), and the clerk's office on the square 1830-1839. The first court was held on May 8, 1828.
Delphi was originally named Carrollton when it was designated as the county seat in early 1828. The name was changed to Delphi May 24, 1828. Delphi is not at the center of Carroll County, Flora is.
M.J. McBird of Logansport designed the 1859 Courthouse as well as the 1861 courthouses in Winamac, Pulaski County. McBird later became the campus architect at the University of Nebraska where he was shaken down by the Governor of Nebraska. The Governor later did prison time for this activity.
Elmer Dunlap designed courthouses in Carroll, Pike, and Spencer Counties as well as the rebuilds in Franklin and Jackson Counties.
The Civil War Monument was erected in 1882. There is also a WWII artillery piece placed on the courthouse lawn in 1949 in appreciation of the WWII war effort contribution of a Spanish American War piece previously located there.