The Fayette County Courthouse
in
Washington Court House, Ohio
Washington Court House is the county seat of Fayette County, Ohio. The population is about 14,000. The area was originally settled by Virginia veterans of the American Revolution who received land from the government as payment for their service in the war.
This may seem a little confusing, but, the Fayette County, Ohio, courthouse (left) is in the town of Washington Court House, Ohio.
Let me explain. Officially named "Washington" as far back as 1910, the "Court House" suffix was used to distinguish the city from other places in the state with "Washington" in their name. The suffix is attributed to settlers who had come from Virginia, where "Court House" was used with county seats (e.g., Appomattox Court House). "Washington Court House" is the longest city name in the state of Ohio.
Now, getting to the "court house,"— the Fayette County Court House was built in 1885 in the Second Empire style by architect David Gibbs. It is a three story gray colored Bedford limestone structure (the picture at left was taken in the early morning light, thus the color).
Each side of the courthouse has a portico supported by four columns rising on the second story to a pediment at the roof line and having a balcony on the second story. The pediment contains a tympanum decorated with a wreath surrounded by flags. On the center of the building is a square clock tower containing a Seth Thomas clock. At the top of the tower is a white colored dome with a statue. There is a Latin phrase in the pediment (FIAT JUSTITIA RUAT COELUM) meaning "Let justice be done, though the heavens fall."
Streets within the downtown part of the city are arranged so that each side of the courthouse receives some sunlight every day of the year.
This may seem a little confusing, but, the Fayette County, Ohio, courthouse (left) is in the town of Washington Court House, Ohio.
Let me explain. Officially named "Washington" as far back as 1910, the "Court House" suffix was used to distinguish the city from other places in the state with "Washington" in their name. The suffix is attributed to settlers who had come from Virginia, where "Court House" was used with county seats (e.g., Appomattox Court House). "Washington Court House" is the longest city name in the state of Ohio.
Now, getting to the "court house,"— the Fayette County Court House was built in 1885 in the Second Empire style by architect David Gibbs. It is a three story gray colored Bedford limestone structure (the picture at left was taken in the early morning light, thus the color).
Each side of the courthouse has a portico supported by four columns rising on the second story to a pediment at the roof line and having a balcony on the second story. The pediment contains a tympanum decorated with a wreath surrounded by flags. On the center of the building is a square clock tower containing a Seth Thomas clock. At the top of the tower is a white colored dome with a statue. There is a Latin phrase in the pediment (FIAT JUSTITIA RUAT COELUM) meaning "Let justice be done, though the heavens fall."
Streets within the downtown part of the city are arranged so that each side of the courthouse receives some sunlight every day of the year.