To bring focus to the 128 year old Washington County Courthouse and the need for reinforcing the clock tower, the Indiana Landmarks association added the stately structure to the 10 Most Endangered list and gathered about 100 local supporters together to send the message across the state that “This Place Matters.”
Armed with signs and posing for pictures on the South steps and in the Veteran’s Memorial on the South East side, the group came together for a purpose on Sunday afternoon.
The stately courthouse in Washington County was constructed in 1888.Columns on the West side of the Washington County courthouse are cracked.Supporting the Washington County Courthouse today in hopes of a restoration of the bell tower, about 100 gathered today for a community picture to show “This Place Matters.”
The Washington County Courthouse is endangered. At the center of the National Register-listed courthouse square in Salem, the 1888 courthouse towers over the landscape, an imposing reflection of the commitment our nineteenth-century counterparts gave to this symbol of community life and justice.
(Photo courtesy Washington County Historical Society)
The appearance of solidity is deceiving. Lightning struck the beacon-like tower in 1934, sparking a fire.
Ill-conceived repairs at the time trapped water in the stone and caused deterioration over the intervening decades, making the tower unstable.
Columns on the clock tower on the West Side of the courthouse are cracked and officials are worried that in time the top could fall.
The structure needs reinforcement before a high wind causes a collapse.
Chronic roof and masonry leaks have been repaired and then re-repaired over the years and are (hopefully) being taken care of one last time with a mason worker this summer and fall.
Get to know historic Salem this afternoon and take a stroll around historic Salem with IndianaLandmarks.
The event starts with a guided walking tour of Salem’s National Register-listed town square at noon.
Washington County Courthouse
That will be followed by a visit to the John Hay Center, a campus that includes the 1830s birthplace of John Milton Hay – personal secretary to President Abraham Lincoln and U.S. Secretary of State under presidents McKinley and Roosevelt – as well as a pioneer village of log structures and the Stevens Memorial Museum.
Next up is the presentation of IndianaLandmarks’ southern Indiana preservation awards at the museum at 1:45 p.m.
After refreshments and before the tour continues, put yourself in a group photo on the south steps and lawn of the courthouse, a 10 Most Endangered site, for submission to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “This Place Matters” campaign.
Most people would be surprised to learn that a venerable nineteenth-century courthouse faces jeopardy, but the Washington County Courthouse is endangered.
At the center of the National Register-listed courthouse square in Salem, the 1888 courthouse towers over the landscape, an imposing reflection of the commitment our nineteenth-century counterparts gave to this symbol of community life and justice.
Louisville architect Harry P. McDonald designed the building in the Romanesque Revival style, using artfully rusticated Indiana limestone with arched entryways and a conical clock/bell tower to convey solidity and strength.
The appearance of solidity is deceiving. Lightning struck the beacon-like tower in 1934, sparking a fire. Ill-conceived repairs at the time trapped water in the stone and caused deterioration over the intervening decades, making the tower unstable.
The structure needs reinforcement before a high wind causes a collapse.
Chronic roof and masonry leaks also require urgent attention.
The afternoon ends with tours of two private homes: Raymond and Tina Lee’s Second-Empire style home built in 1886 and Tom Johnson and Lisa Thompson’s c.1850 home.
WHAT: Salem Stroll
WHEN: Oct. 23, noon to 5 p.m. (ET)
WHERE: Starts at the Washington County Courthouse south steps, 99 Public Square, Salem. Park on the square for the walking tour; park at the John Hay Center/Stevens Memorial Museum, 307 E. Market St. for program.
WHO: Sponsored by IndianaLandmarks
COST: $25/person; $5/child under 18 ($15/member of IndianaLandmarks). Tour tickets may be purchased online at salemstroll.eventbrite.com.
Two Washington County Schools will continue to host football section action with the semi-final round this Friday, Oct. 28 but will see the county’s undefeated team head out on the road.
Salem High School will host the Class 3A Sectional 31 semi-final with the Brownstown Braves traveling to Paul A. Graves Athletic Field.
The Braves (9-1) will take the field against the Lions (6-4) for a 7p kickoff.
Salem last won the football sectional in 1994.
The game will be broadcast on WSLM 97.9 FM.
Eastern, in its 8th year of having a football program and are 27-55 overall and has a 6-15 record with second year coach Luke Dean.
The Musketeers defeated Crawford County last Friday night, 49-18 and will face South Spencer (4-6) this Friday night at 7:30p at The Hill in Pekin.
The Rebels are located in Rockport, IN, which is just west of Tell City.
South Port made a run at a state title in 1998 when they won their sectional, regional and semi-state final.
They have last won their sectional and regional in 2003.
The Rebels are 17-23 in 4th year at school for coach Tom Packer.
The game will be broadcast on wslmradio.com
West Washington, 10-0, will travel to North Decatur, in Greensburg, IN, for a 7p kickoff time.
The Senators last won the sectional in 2015, and also in 2012, 1994 and 1993.
Coach Phillip Bowsman is 68-41 in 10th year at school
The Chargers are 101-57 in 14 years of football at the school. Coach Steve Stirn is 14-8 in 2nd year at school.
North Decatur last won a sectional in 1992 and 1998.
IC 35-48-4-11(A)MB ~ POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA
IC 35-48-4-8.3(A)MA ~ POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA
IC 35-42-2-1.3(b)(2)FL6 ~ DOMESTIC BATTERY – COMMITTED IN PRESENCE OF CHILD LESS THAN 16 YEARS
IC 35-45-2-1(A)MA ~ INTIMIDATION
Earlier today shortly after 10:30 am, Trooper Jeff Kellogg from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg made a traffic stop near the 2.4 Mile Marker on Interstate #265 West in Floyd County. He made the traffic stop on a black 2006 Jeep Liberty for traffic infractions.
The driver, Jose A. Rodriguez-Palma, 38, from 2837 Robson
Jose A. Rodriguez-Palma, 38
Street, Indianapolis IN, was charged with Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony; Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony and Operator Never Licensed, C Misdemeanor.
He was transported to the Floyd County Jail where he was incarcerated.
Trooper Nathan Abbott with his K-9 “Teague” arrived on scene shortly after the traffic stop and conducted a narcotics sweep around the vehicle. K-9 “Teague” gave a positive alert for the odor of narcotics on or in the vehicle.
K-9 “Teague”
A search of the vehicle yielded approximately three pounds of suspected Methamphetamine hidden in the rear of the Jeep Liberty.
The approximate street value of the seized Methamphetamine is over $150,000.00.
Mr. Jack Floyd age 83 of Pekin passed away on Friday, October 21 at his home.
Mr. Floyd was born October 25, 1932 in Horry County, South Carolina the son of Ethelle and Idell Hooks Floyd.He was a retired Brick Mason and a Korean War Army veteran.He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of VFW, American Legion and Moose Lodge.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife:Sharon Warren Floyd, twin daughters, a granddaughter: Jami Webb and his parents.He is survived by two sons:Donald Floyd of Pekin, Todd Floyd of Key West, Florida, two daughters:Patricia Mullins of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Sonja Booker of Hardinsburg, 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Friday, October 28 at 1:00PM at Weathers Funeral Home.Visitation will be before the services from 10AM-time of service.Burial will be private at Stampers Creek Cemetery.
(Photo courtesy Washington County Historical Society)
