The Hall Of Records
The Hall Of Records
This building was completed in 1839 and used as the county courthouse
until 1873 when the county seat was moved to Galesburg, IL. The two story
building was made out of locally produced red brick. The fluting on
the exterior of the Doric columns is made out of plaster.It contained six rooms on the lower floor with a broad hallway running through the center. The courtroom, jury room, and sheriff's office were on the second floor. After the removal of the county seat, the building was used for meetings, dances, operas, and games. The east side was converted into a fire station.
The Knox County Historical Sites, Inc. formed in 1953 to restore the courthouse. Most of the interior woodwork is orginal made of pine and butternut. Some of the original panes of glass remain in the windows. The east room, known as the Henry Knox Room, contains two original fireplaces. The Courthouse is now home to the Knox County Museum, which encompasses the second floor, and the west room of the first floor.
Interesting Facts:
District Judge Stephen A. Douglas held court here from
1841-43.
The cupola was removed
in the 1800's because it was too heavy for the roof. The Knox County
Historical Sites, Inc. replaced it in 1973. It was designed after the
original, but lighter.
The front twin iron stairways were added in 1874.
The west room on the first floor contains the nation's
largest museum owned collection of Abingdon pottery. This room also
houses memorabilia from schools that are no longer in existence.
In 1854, the Hall of Records was completed to hold the accumulation of
records from the courthouse. It was designed to be fireproof and to
insure maximum security. The walls are extra thick, made out of brick.
An iron floor, iron shutters and extra steel doors secured the building.
Much of the metal was removed to be used during the war.
