History
Geauga County was established in 1806 and was carved out of Trumbull County. The county seat was placed at New Market and a courthouse was built. The records about this first courthouse are inconsistent and little is known about it. New Market lost the title of county seat to Chardon the next year.
Chardon wasted no time in the construction of a courthouse, which was completed in 1808. The one room log structure with chimney was completely outfitted with wooden amenities, such as split log benches, rough wood floors and a curious stick chimney. This courthouse served the county until 1813 when a new, sturdier courthouse was needed.
The county arranged a competition for the new courthouse. The third courthouse was designed by Samuel King for $750 and was built of brick. The details are also vague, as the records are conflicting and are enmeshed in the records of the 1826 courthouse.
The 1826 Greek Revival courthouse was built of brick and rose two-stories high on a rectangular foundation. Long windows lined the sides of the building and featured a Doric columned portico. The hipped roof was pierced by a cupola topped by a spire. In 1848, the building became home to the new Chardon Library, the first branch of today's Geauga County Public Library.
Unfortunately for posterity, this courthouse burned down in July 1868 along with almost every other building along Main Street when a fire broke out in one of the businesses. Fortunately for the county, none if its expansive records were lost. Arson was suspected but never proven.
The county soon turned to another competition for the design of its fourth courthouse. The design chosen was from Joseph Ireland and the construction contract was awarded to L.J. Randall. The brick and stone structure was built at a price of $88,862. The courthouse standing today is basically the same, although renovations have added some minor interior alterations and upgrades.
Read more about this topic: Geauga County Courthouse
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