Residents and visitors in Ripley and Switzerland counties know they are “someplace” instead of just anyplace when they walk in the shadows of history around their courthouse squares. Distinguished courthouses are essential anchors to civic awareness in communities competing against the homogenization of society and culture. They begin the lesson in citizenship before a book is ever opened.

To reinforce and celebrate their importance, the courthouses of Ripley and Switzerland counties were recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

The listings were the products of a statewide initiative to nominate all eligible courthouses to the National Register of Historic Places. Inspired by the near-loss of the Randolph County Courthouse a few years ago, the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA) and Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana joined in a cooperative agreement to complete the nominations, all at no expense to county governments.  

Seventeen courthouses around the state were identified for nomination to the National Register; fifteen have been listed. DHPA has contributed 80% of the nearly $41,000 budget, with Historic Landmarks providing the balance.

The courthouse initiative recognizes important architecture and exemplifies the power of public and private preservation advocates working together to conserve state heritage.

For more information about the National Register courthouse initiative and the Courthouse Preservation Advisory Commission, contact DHPA, 317-232-4200.