Colusa County Courthouse
The Colusa County Courthouse, in Colusa, California was erected in 1861. This Greek Revival style building is the oldest remaining courthouse in the Sacramento Valley.[1] The "Southern" style reflects the county's heritage and states' rights sympathies during the American Civil War, largely due to the influence of the local newspaper editor Will S. Green.[2] In its early years, the courthouse also served as a center for cultural, social, and religious activities. The courthouse is California Historical Landmark #890, a designation it received in 1976.[3]
| Colusa County Courthouse | |
|---|---|
 Colusa County Courthouse, 1908 | |
| Location | 547 Market Street, Colusa, California |
| Coordinates | 39.21402°N 122.00853°W |
| Architectural style(s) | Greek Revival |
| Reference no. | 890 |
  Location of Colusa County Courthouse in California | |
The courthouse, constructed of brick and later covered in plaster, cost $21,000 to build. A golden bear statue stands above the front door, atop four 30-foot columns.[3] Originally, the building had a large dome on the roof, but it was removed not long after the courthouse's construction because it leaked. The building is now topped by a cupola that holds a bell.[4]
The courthouse is home to a statue of George Washington that was given to the county after the 1860 election. Colusa County voters donated more money per voter to fund construction of the Washington Monument, in Washington, D.C., than voters anywhere else in California. The county received the statue in recognition.[5]
References
- "Colusa". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 29 August 2005.
- Gazzar, Brenda (12 August 2001). "Courthouse falling prey to time; Renovations aim to keep 140-year-old Colusa County facility from sinking". Appeal-Democrat. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- Meeker, Susan (23 May 2018). "COLUSA 150: Mystery of Colusa's Most Impressive Building". Williams Pioneer. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- Meeker, Susan (29 April 2011). "Courthouse celebrates 150 years". Colusa Sun-Herald. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- Moran, Kathleen (2 July 2014). "Washington's journey to the Colusa Courthouse". Colusa County Sun-Herald. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
Further reading
- McDevitt, Ray; Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of California (Forward) (2001). Courthouses of California: an Illustrated History. Berkeley, CA: California Historical Society. p. 365. ISBN 1-890771-49-X.