I figured that I've posted enough Hamilton on UrbanOhio, so I've chosen to highlight the courthouse and county seat project for Hamilton's county seat thread.

 

The County Seat Project is sponsored by City of Sculpture (www.cityofsculpture.org). The organization choose from more than 75 entries from local artists and groups to determine which 38 would be able to create a bench...a 'county seat'; the benches are placed along High and Main Streets, as well as the High-Main Bridge.

 

 

This one has proved extremely controversial, in fact, it was moved to an area with less visibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one is packed with information on Hamilton's Lane Public Library

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Butler County Courthouse was constructed between 1885 and 1889. It is one of five Ohio county courthouses designed by David Gibbs. The original tower and roof burnt in 1912 and was replaced with the current clock tower topped with a grand dome. The dome was removed in 1926 after being hit by lighting. Butler County has done two major restoration projects on the courthouse: 1980 and 1999. More info on Gibbs and his twin courthouses here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=13305.0

 

Original construction

 

After fire with massive dome towering 225 feet

 

60's plan to expand courthouse...fortunately this didn't happen

 

Today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tremendous variety of creative designs! Some are whimsical, and some are beautifully crafted.

 

I never knew about the dome on the current courthouse tower. It looks a lot better with the dome in the old photo, not so incongruous.

^Interesting that you say that, I've never liked the 1912 dome; it seems oversized/out of scale with the courthouse to me. Of course, I've seen the present low pitched roof my entire life, so I'm acusotmed to that. I think it works well enough, and for those with a good eye for architecture, an interesting story to discover.

 

Here are a few more old images of the courthouse:

 

Side of courthouse pre-fire

 

Fire!

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure if this is the erection or removal of the 1912 dome

 

 

Quite large!

 

1950's

 

I really like what Hamilton did with the County Seat Project. These benches are very creative and I haven't seen one that I didn't like. A few of my favorites are one the bridge but I recently saw the Journal News Bench and liked that one too. It's a very unique and cool project.

Ok, I think my favorites were the last one shown and the toilet "bench"!

Damn them and taking down the dome!

Nice thread ink...it's always nice to get a little dose of Hamilton!