Lebanon is the county seat of Boone County and has a population of about 14,000.
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Boone County Courthouse
This courthouse built of Indiana limestone was built from 1909 to 1911 and boasts of the largest single piece limestone pillars in the world, at least at the time of construction. They are over thirty five feet tall and four feet plus in diameter. It has somewhat of a classical Greek appearance but in my opinion, is no match to it’s predecessor as to looks or interest. The earlier courthouse was built in 1857 in the Gothic Revival style and had a beautiful styled tower. I read where the county commissioners of the time sold it for fifteen dollars and it was demolished. No thought as to history or beauty….many times I wish county commissioners would keep their hands off of the architectural gems.
Boone County Courthouse Dome
While this style of architectural is so much better looking than what they put up in the thirties, I still like the older courthouses more. This glass dome rotunda is a great feature though and it is the second largest in Indiana at eighty four feet high and 52 feet wide.
An Interior View of the Dome
It is very beautiful inside with the sunlight coming through the stained glass. If I had my tripod when I took this photo it would be much clearer and not so grainy. These photos were taken on May 6, 2010.
Courthouse Square - East Side
To the far left in the distance the old Carnegie library can be seen and only in a small town would you be able to see a small library downtown.
Courthouse Square - Building on the East Side
One of the fine old buildings of this block. I am sure the enclosed stairway is nice for it’s purpose but is rather hideous for this old building, worst than bricking up windows and perhaps even a modern facade. These photos are looking to the northeast and were taken in the morning of May 6, 2010.
Courthouse Square - West Side
The west side of the square looking southwest. I like the white building in the foreground, the ground floor facade is fairly original and the upper part is interesting and different from most courthouse square buildings.
Courthouse Square - South Side
Some nice old buildings south of the courthouse but only for the east half of the block. Looking southeast on May 6, 2010.
Courthouse Square - North Side
This is the only building on the north side of the courthouse that caught my eye, and the fact that it sits back from the street is different from most squares. It sits at the east end of the block on the northwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets.
Carnegie Library
The Carnegie library was built around 1905 and sits on the northeast corner of Washington and Meridian streets. This view looks to the northeast.
Carnegie Library - Old and New
This view shows the old and new library complex looking northeast on May 6, 2010.