Franklin County Courthouse

 courthouse, historic landmark

The Courthouse (1864). The old courthouse was destroyed by Confederate troops in 1864 and some pieces were used in the present building. As a rear view better shows, this is a large building for the time and the county fathers (there were no county mothers then) were looking ahead. It is built of red brick in the Classical Revival style with front portico and bell tower. An unusual feature of the tower is the ballastrade decoration; one guess who the figure on top might be. (Hint: He seems to be holding a lightning rod.)

There is extensive decorative bracketing under all the eaves. The windows are square without decoration, although the ground floor ones are all shuttered. The exterior sits much as originally built, although interior renovations have been made. This 1864 building is now the old courthouse. A 1979 courthouse (or annex) is directly to the rear and connected by an enclosed pedestrian bridge, and now contains most courthouse functions. It is built of reddish brick in a utilitarian style, presumably trying to match the old courthouse color.

www.mapsofpa.com/countyseatsc.htm
www.co.franklin.pa.us/Pages/default.aspx

157 Lincoln Way E
County Courthouse
Chambersburg, PA 17201-2233
Phone: (717)264-4125