Construction on this Gothic-style structure started in 1909 and was completed and opened for business three years later. The contract for construction was awarded at $ 324,000 but it cost the contractor, W.W. Luyster, of Dayton, Ohio, more than $150,000 to build the Courthouse. Can you imagine what it might cost to build this Courthouse and its marble, brass and bronze, today?
The County has taken numerous steps during the past few years to upgrade the appearance and condition of the Courthouse and Courthouse Square. The building recently received an extensive facelift, basically on the south side. Other recently projects include the restoration of the Civil War Memorial and privately-funded construction of a bandstand, both on the east grounds; installation of historic lamps, benches and trash receptacles; general landscaping of the grounds; and lighting of the dome and clock tower.
The main, or north entrance, is adorned by sandstone pillars. Smaller porches with smaller pillars adorn the east and west entrance while the south, or ground floor entrance, is a two-story balcony with large pillars. The center of the roof is ornamented with a glistening 160-ft.-high dome and huge clock with four dials facing the four cardinal points of the compass. The dome is a reproduction of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
The first floor rotunda area features the official Mercer County Seal and Flag. The seal was adopted in 1988 and the flag, which features the seal, in 1989. Also in the rotunda are the U.S. and Pennsylvania flags, a portrait of the Courthouse in 1909 and a portrait of the Declaration of Independence.
Offices of this floor include the Commissioners, Clerk of Courts/Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, Prothonotary, Veterans, Fiscal and Public Information.
The two original Courtrooms are on the second floor. Courtroom 1 features a mural Criminal Law, by Vincente Aderente, a native of Italy who was trained at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Courtroom 2 contains a mural Civil Law, by A. E. Foringer, a native of Pennsylvania who studied art in Pittsburgh. Foringer is known for his poster The Greatest Mother in the World, which is used by the American Red Cross.
Walking around the second floor white marble railing, eight light green columns of scagliola, or imitation marble, are visible. Located on this floor are the District Attorney's offices, court offices and Bar Association rooms.
The third floor contains the law library, which is open to the public, juror's lounge and Courtroom 3. The Courtroom was constructed in 1982 when a third judge position was added to the County.
Walking around the third floor railing, murals representing Justice, Power of the Law, Innocence and Guilt, can be viewed above. These were painted by Edward Simmons, of New York, who previously won awards at the Paris Exposition and the Pan-American Exposition. Simmons also painted nine panels decorating the Library of Congress in Washington. D.C.
The fourth floor houses the micrographics department but is used mainly for storage. It is not open to the public.
The ground floor , which is the south entrance, contains the Assembly Room, Jury Commissioners, Data Processing, Registration and Election Bureau, Personnel Office, Maintenance Department, Department of Revenue, Treasurer's office and Controller's office.
The foyer carpeting features an outline of Mercer County set in the Pennsylvania Keystone. It was designed by Randy Zigo, a county employee.
Public restrooms for men are available on each floor. Women's facilities are on each floor except the first. Handicapped-accessible restrooms are on the ground floor.
An elevator is available to each floor near the east side of the rotunda area.
Public telephones are accessible in the ground floor foyer and first floor, west hall.
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