Courthouse to hold Open House

Courthouse to hold Open House

Public invited to see historic building’s upgraded amenities

news@theeveningtimes.com

It’s a grand unveiling. The historic Crittenden County courthouse is in the middle of a multi-year facelift and an open house has been set for citizens to see the upgrades.

This courthouse, built in 1911 of red brick and stone, has been the third one to serve the county. The front and back of the building are mirror images with eight sets of windows up and down across the facade with entry doors in the middle. A dome covers the center of the roof. Six classic ionic styled columns stand centered across the north and south side fronts. The cornice upholds a frieze reading, “Obedience to the law is liberty.”

Going along with the Roman inspired colonnade, the saying has been attributed to Roman philosopher Boethius. The inscription points out the paradox that some measure of individual freedom must be restrained to enjoy morally regulated civil freedom.

Remodeling has been going on inside and out for five years. Every room on the first floor has been renovated. The rehab plan served to play musical chairs as some offices have moved locations. The open house is to show off the changes and the upgrades.

Justice of the Peace Lisa O’Neal walked through some of the improvements.

“It’s a 107 year old building and the first floor has been completely redone,” said O’Neal. “If it has been a while since you’ve been in there you may not recognize the courthouse. People doing research for their families or for properties will find it a lot easier. It is very much customer friendly. It’s where the judges office used to be.”

Reminiscent of the Johnny Cash tune, One Piece at a Time, the renovation work has been strung together over the last five years with more to come. The scheduled open house will offer a progress report of sorts.

HVAC improvements have been made behind the scenes as well.

“We’ve had to do one little small piece at a time,” said O’Neal. “We’re a public entity and we’ve had to use our money wisely. It’s taken several years to get the main floor done. This is a chance to see what we’ve done at the main building.”

“We just completed the last little piece down the hall on the west side,” said County Judge Woody Wheeless. “We’ve finished the whole first floor. So its time to invite the public in to see what we’ve done.”

Wheeless said the inside wasn’t the only thing improved. Outside, the parking lots have been brightened up in a big way with LED lights. More exterior work was slated for later this year.

“Lighting up the parking lot was done, we’ve really done a lot on the property,” said Wheeless.

The courthouse was placed in the National Register of Historic places in 1977.

The special status dictated some remodeling decisions. The county landed a $98,000 grant for more work to paint and renovate the exterior. Painting will begin in the spring.

“When you deal with the National Historical Society they want it to stay as much original as we possibly can,” said Wheeless. “They were happy with the color schemes the way the were so it will continue with the same look but it will be fresh.”

Modern touches will be seen in repairing columns and sealing cracks and around windows.

“Any caulking, or repairs around the columns are part of this grant,” said Wheeless.

The Crittenden County “Open House at the Courthouse” will be a coffee and cookie affair offering the chance to check out the new digs on Wednesday Feb. 22, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and has been underwritten by one of the contractors, Michael Rushing of Quality Flooring.

“It won’t cost our county tax payers a dime,” said O’Neal.

By John Rech