Historic Chester County Courthouse

 courthouse, historical building

The Courthouse (1846). The present courthouse is one of the better known in the state, mostly because the original part is the work of a famous architect, Thomas U. Walter, who later became architect of the United States Capitol and whose major buildings, such as this one, were in the classical style. But known also for the preposterous tower that caps this otherwise handsome Classical Revival building. The Walter part (a circa 1875 view ) dates to 1846.

In 1892 a transverse addition at the rear gave the building a "T" shape. This addition is not quite harmonious. The windows look different, the roof line does not match, and the stone is a shade whiter. In 1964 an annex was attached to the northern side of this addition.

A new and very large Justice Center is currently (2006) under construction and will assume most courthouse functions for this populous county, although the Walter courthouse will survive. The prominent statue in front is a generic memorial to "Old Glory", i.e. the flag, leaving room for interpretation of the figure. One possibility is that it represents any of a multitude of politicians wrapping himself in the flag just before election.

www.mapsofpa.com/countyseatsb.htm
www.chesco.org/courts/site/default.asp

2 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380;
phone: 610-344-6100.