Treasures on the square: Historical courthouses in Mason and Charlotte full of charm
They’re old. And majestic. And they anchor the county seats in Ingham and Eaton counties.
The historical courthouses in Mason and Charlotte are signs of an era gone by. While court hearings have moved to modernized buildings nearby, these buildings still play a role in their respective downtowns.
Ingham County Courthouse
The Ingham County Courthouse was built starting in 1902 in the heart of downtown Mason. Designed by architect Edwin Bowd, it was completed in 1904. The courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The exterior of the building is made of berea sandstone quarried in Ohio. At the corner of the courthouse lawn is a memorial for those who died in WWII and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Inside the building features plenty of ornate wood and ironwork, tile flooring and four murals on the north, south, east and west sides of the rotunda dome.
The historic building is still functional, housing offices for Ingham County clerk, board of commissioners, register of deeds, treasurer, equalization tax and circuit court.
Eaton County Courthouse
The historic Eaton County Courthouse officially opened in 1855. Ten years later, a fire mostly gutted the interior, which was then renovated. The building remained operational until it was decommissioned in 1976 after a new courthouse was built on the south side of town.
In 1993, the Eaton County Courthouse Square Association took over the building.
"Preserving and sharing the history of this area is important, and the generosity from the public reflects that," Courthouse Square Museum manager Julie Kimmer said. Most of the antiques and the museum's contents have been donated by families in the area, she said.
The first floor is now home to the Eaton County Genealogical Association and houses a few small businesses. The second and third floors are now a public museum and rental venue. The former district courtroom is set up like it was when first opened. Old tobacco spittoons sit below the gallery seating area.
The judge's chamber contains historic Michigan law books, including the judge's antique rolltop desk. An old bearskin rug and chair sit in front of the fireplace.
The museum also features antiques and artifacts from throughout the county, including vintage voting booths, a reconstructed country schoolhouse and a a vintage horse-drawn hearse.
The museum is run by volunteers and is open Monday through Friday.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Courthouses in Mason, Charlotte are historical gems
