Many Porter County residents drive past the courthouse multiple times a day but may not realize the rich history that sits on the county seat of Lincolnway in downtown Valparaiso.
“To many, it’s an iconic building in Porter County, but I think it holds a lot more significance,” said Kevin Pazour, executive director of the Porter County Museum. “The courthouse you see is actually the fourth courthouse on that spot.”
The courthouse was dedicated in 1883 but was not anywhere near completion.
“The dedication occurred on the cornerstone of the building, but it was not until 1885 that the building was actually habitable and usable,” said Pazour. “Before an actual courthouse was built, functions were held all over downtown Valparaiso and several other buildings came into play where the county rented space.”
Some residents may know that the original courthouse burned down, but many do not know that there were multiple fires in 1934.
“January of 1934 has the saving grace that the fire started in the middle of the day when there was a court proceeding going on,” said Pazour. “The fire occurred after multiple warnings from the fire inspector who was actually getting after them as early as 1930, so that had all these warnings, followed by an isolated fire.”
“There was another fire in June of 1934 that occurred in the vault of records, that they believe was intentionally set,” said Pazour. “And finally the significant fire took place on December 27, 1934.”
“This fire took place days away from the New Year when elected officials change,” said Pazour. “The whole thing became a political nightmare.”
The original project of the courthouse used over 100,000 bricks at the foundation level, and the local mason, Charles Dickover, was involved.
“Dickover was a notable guy who had also served as sheriff,” said Pazour. “He was in charge of the brick structure, cement work and tile work into 1885.”
“The estimation was that the superstructure took 4 million bricks,” said Pazour, adding that is one of his favorite facts about the building.
“Another notable spot is on the north side of the courthouse where there are tiny inscriptions and names all cut into the façade,” said Pazour. “It is definitely worth taking the time to take a look at it.”
Porter County Courthouse, Valparaiso
County Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North, loves the courthouse and knows a lot about its history. Biggs is a seventh-generation Porter County resident.
“When I walk through the door to the courthouse, I think to myself that my great-great-grandfather walked through that same door,” said Biggs.
“There is no place like it in Porter County,” said Biggs. “There is so much history when you walk through there because you are basically looking at something that is the way things were 130 years ago.”
Biggs also has some interesting stories from his years working in the building.
“There was a huge safe in the treasurer’s office that had to be moved to what is now the administration building,” said Biggs. “We had to take out a window and use a crane to get the safe out.”
“I have been to the top of the courthouse, and you can still see the charred wood and burnt wood from the fire,” said Biggs.
“I was looking around one day and somebody had dropped a toy down between the beams of the wall, and I reached down and picked it up,” said Biggs. “It was a yellow rubber car that looked to be from 1920 or 1930.”
“One of the interesting facts about the courthouse is that the building that was built in 1883 was built for approximately $150,000,” said Biggs. “We couldn’t even renovate the bathrooms in the courthouse for that cost now.”
Working in the courthouse is also a prideful experience for those who have been there many years, like bailiff Suzie Piazza of Valparaiso, who was hired by the late Judge Mary Harper and is in her 28th year working in the building.
“I love our courtroom with its sky-high ceiling with textured wood walls surrounding it,” said Piazza. “The windows overlooking the city are tall and the view is breathtaking, especially when we have weather rolling in.”
“When I am giving directions on the phone, I tell people to look for the giant courthouse with the clock tower in the middle of the square,” said Piazza.
“I am honored to work in a historic courthouse that is magnificent inside and out,” said Piazza. “It is the focal point of downtown and the centerpiece of Valparaiso.”
Once a quarter, Pazour presents “History on Tap”, at the Waiting Room in downtown Valparaiso, where he invites people from Porter County to talk history informally.
“December’s talk was all about the 90th anniversary of the courthouse fire,” said Pazour. “It generated a lot of interest which led to me to plan another program in March specifically about the courthouse.”
The Things You Might Not Know About the Courthouse presentation is at 1 p.m. March 27 inside the Pines Village Retirement Communities. It will be recorded and shared on YouTube at a later date. To attend the presentation or for further information, email info@pocomuse.org.
Deena Butterfield is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
