In 1682 William Penn established Chester County as one of three original counties in the Pennsylvania Colony and a Court House was constructed in 1724 in Chester near the Delaware River.   Population density and immigrant migration necessitated moving the facility inland.   Between 1784 and 1786 a Court House was built in the village of West Chester on High Street.

 

        Business activity and court proceedings multiplied as more people populated the newly divided Chester County.  By the 1830s drafts appeared for a larger Court House.  In 1846 the Commissioners contracted with Thomas U. Walter to design a structure for the same site.  Walter completed his plans for a Greek Revival building and construction began the same year.   The brick and stone edifice was opened officially on Washington's Birthday, 1848.   Three years later President Millard Fillmore appointed Walter as the Architect of the Capitol, a position that still exists today.  Walter designed the Capitol's dome, both the House and Senate wings and other federal buildings.

 

 

 In 1859 the Court House facades were faced with Pictou stone and the County Commissioners continued to maintain it as needs arose.  But by the end of the century more room was required to accommodate the courts and public services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{Annex Construction - 1890} Courthouse Annex under construction - 1890 Photo: Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA

 

 

 

       In 1891 T. Roney Williamson designed the Court House Annex.  Built of Indiana limestone, it is an interpretation of the Italian Renaissance style and was erected contiguous to the Greek Revival Court House.  The interior was embellished with Italian marble wainscoting; stained art glass; and decorative wood garlands, diamonds, and pilasters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The arrival of the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1889...     {Circus Parade comes through town, past the Courthouse - 1889}   Photo: Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA	a visit by President Taft in 1910...   {President Taft passes by the courthouse - 1910} Photo: Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA
...and the dedication of "Old Glory", a statue of a Civil War soldier holding the American Flag, in 1915. {Old Glory Dedication - 1915} Photo: Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA

{North Wing}        

 

 

 

    In 1964 substantial twentieth century growth necessitated

the another building expansion on the site.  A five story North Wing (right) provided additional Court Rooms and space for county offices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{Historic Courthouse with Old Glory in the foreground}

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Today the Court House complex is an assemblage that illustrates Chester County's growth through the decades.  The Corinthian columns, designed by Thomas U. Walter, that grace the front entrance have been and will continue to be a distinguishing focal point and symbol of justice far into Chester County's future.  The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.