| Washington Court House: Famous courthouse building, fall festival and murals everywhere |
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| Thursday, 17 September 2009 | |
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It is appropriate that Court House is included in the name of the city because the Fayette County Court House is an architectural treasure. On top of the beautiful and ornate building is a giant Seth Thomas clock. Inside the court house is a mural painted by Archibald M. Willard. Willard (1836-1918) was one of Ohio’s most well-known artists. He painted the famous “Yankee Doodle” painting, which became known as “The Spirit of ‘76”, around 1875 for the Bicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The court house building was more than the center of the city square. The streets in the downtown were arranged in an unusual grid to accommodate the court house. While most Mid-Western streets are traditionally laid out in an east to west, north to south pattern, the streets around the court house are arranged at a 45 degree or so angle to the north-south axis. There are several theories why this happened. Most believe it allowed the court house to be set at an angle so that all four sides of the building, especially the north side, would receive some sunlight every day of the year. And at night, the dome of this courthouse is visible from many miles away. There’s a bit more history in the court house. Look for the seven bullet holes that lodged in the building during the historic Fayette County riot of 1894. All around the court house square are flower boxes with red, white and blue flowers and American flags that set off the town square with a patriotic flair. Many of the flowers were planted by the Fayette County Master Gardeners and were sponsored by the merchants. It’s worth a drive around the town just to enjoy all the beautiful flowers in the yards. Walk around the area and take in the Washington Court House Commercial Historic District. Stop in some of the shops, businesses and eating places. Many are unique and locally owned. An interesting stop is the Fayette County Historical Society Museum. It was built in 1875 by Morris Sharp who wanted his Victorian Italianate house to be “the showplace of Washington Court House”…and it was. Purchased by the historical society in 1958, it became a museum in 1965. It has “fourteen rooms of fine pieces depicting the county’s history.” A special thing to do is to take the spiral stairs to the museum’s tower and get a “spectacular panorama of the city.” Stop by the Travel and Tourism Bureau office for local and county information, maps and brochures. Information can also be mailed. Make sure to get a map and take a special driving tour of the wonderful murals painted by Harry Ahysen. He was a world-renowned artist who made his home in WCH from 1986 until his death in 2006. Include the Washington Court House Cemetery Historic District in your drive. The cemetery district includes Judy Chapel, built in 1905 in the Gothic Revival Style. Take a peaceful pause by the lovely restored Cemetery Fountain and enjoy the beautiful garden. The Fayette County Court House, Morris Sharp House, (Historical Society Museum), Judy Chapel, Washington Cemetery Historic District and Washington Court House Commercial Historic District are on the National Register of Historic Places. Watch for events in 2010 when Fayette County and Washington Court House celebrate their Bicentennial. Other events downtown and around the court house will be the Barbeque and Blues Fest in the spring and the Arts and Cultural Fest in late summer. Check for dates. Join the celebration in the downtown area when it comes alive with music and local bands heralding the Christmas season with the Holiday Parade. It will be Dec. 5 starting at 5 p.m. The Historical Museum and the Carnegie Library will hold open house. But come any time of the year and you’ll find a warm welcome in Washington Court House. If You Go... Fayette County Travel and Tourism Bureau Address: 101 E. East St, Washington Court House 43160 Phone: 1.800.479.7797 or 740-335-8008 Email: www.fayettecountyohio.com |
Washington Court House reflects the name and theme of the Harry Ahysen mural over the downtown Veteran’s Memorial Park, “Many things are centered here”. Formed from parts of Ross and Highland Counties, Fayette County was founded in 1810. It was named after Marquis de Lafayette who aided Americans in the Revolutionary War.| < Prev | Next > |
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