The courthouse through the years

TIMELINE

News-Sentinel photo by Ellie Bogue Courthouse GreenConstruction on the Courthouse Green park began in April 1998, forcing the demolition of several buildings along Court Street. The park was dedicated Oct. 15, 1999.

* Jan. 22, 1813 -- The land where the Allen County Courthouse now stands was donated by businessmen John McCorkle and John Barr for use as a public square. Through the 19th century, three courthouses stood on the site, completed in 1831, 1847 and 1862.

* March 10, 1896 -- In need of a larger structure, commissioners advertised for competitive designs from architects for the fourth courthouse. Entries were due May 5, 1896.

* May 11, 1896 -- From 15 submissions, commissioners chose courthouse sketch by Brentwood S. Tolan of Fort Wayne on the recommendation of W.M. Goss, chairman of sanitary engineering at Purdue University.

* Dec. 22, 1896 -- Allen County Commissioners awarded a $4,155 contract to C.E. Moellering & Co. to demolish the third courthouse.

* January-February 1897 -- Construction bids were sought and opened.

* March 1, 1897 -- More bids were sought after the original ones were rejected as being at least $100,000 too high. It "would impose on the taxpayers a heavier burden than would be acceptable to the majority," a newspaper said. Commissioners proposed "cheaper marble and less of it . . . cheaper tiling and a less ornate power station."

* May 29, 1897 -- The original construction contract for $479,336 was awarded to James Stewart and Co., of St. Louis. All bids totaled $582,263.33. With changes, interior decorations and furnishings, the final cost was $817,553.59.

* Nov. 17, 1897 -- Cornerstone was laid in northeast corner.

* August 1899 -- Worker Louis LeGrew, 22, fell 14 feet to his death when a scaffold broke. He was crushed by a wheelbarrow filled with cement.

* Nov. 17, 1900 -- William G. Andrews & Co. received a $33,000 contract for interior decorations, including frescos, murals, painting and other art.

* Sept. 23, 1902 -- Building was dedicated.

* Jan. 8, 1940 -- Courthouse debt was paid off.

* May 1, 1975 -- Courthouse was rededicated after more than $1 million was spent to refurbish it.

* 1976 -- Allen County Courthouse listed on National Register of Historic Places.

* Aug. 30, 1994 -- Newly formed Allen County Courthouse Preservation Trust holds its first meeting to discuss fund raising for mural restoration.

* January 1995 -- Mural restoration expert Perry Huston is brought to Fort Wayne to assess the condition of the murals after "War & Peace" begins to pull away from the rotunda wall.

* February 1995 -- Mural restoration begins.

* Nov. 20, 1995 -- Miss Liberty statue taken down for repairs after her fingers fell onto a car.

* May 18, 1996 -- The first restored mural, "Peace and Prosperity," is reattached to rotunda wall.

* April 30, 1998 -- Construction begins on Courthouse Green park project. Several buildings along Court Street demolished.

* Oct. 15, 1999 -- Courthouse Green park is dedicated. Total cost of the project was $3.2 million.

* Sept. 23, 2002 -- Building rededicated.