Marion County Courthouse (Ohio)

The Marion County Courthouse is the seat of government for Marion County, Ohio, United States. The Marion County Courthouse was built during 1884–1886.

Marion County Courthouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Western front of the courthouse
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Interactive map showing the location of Marion County Courthouse
Location	Courthouse Sq., Marion, Ohio
Coordinates	40°35′20″N 83°7′42″W
Built	1884
Architect	David W. Gibbs
NRHP reference No.	74001572[1]
Added to NRHP	July 25, 1974[1]

Ten niches are decorated with sandstone heads of various figures. Four of them are meant to depict various races—a white woman, an African man, an Asian man, and an American Indian man. Other heads include two settler girls and a settler woman, plus a head similar to depictions of William Shakespeare.^[2]

In the 1970s, county officials announced a plan to perform extensive changes the building's interior, which had previously experienced few modifications since construction. The Marion County Historical Society protested the plans and aroused substantial public displeasure; preparations were made for a referendum to repeal the plans, and enough local residents signed a ballot petition that it would have qualified for a vote, but no vote was held because Ohio law does not permit referendums of the sort. Numerous original wood carvings and paintings were destroyed, ceilings were dropped, and aluminum doors installed. County officials sought to mollify local ire by retaining the building's exterior, including restoring the statue of Justice atop the tower.^[2]