Our Building
On May 15 of 1865, it was decided that a new courthouse was needed. Micajah Stanley, an early settler, donated 8 lots of land for the building of a new courthouse.
On January 2, 1866 building began. The building was to include 2 vaults and a basement housing the jail and living quarters for the janitor. As winter came on, the building was completed on November 1, 1866. The total cost of the building was $28,000.
In 1893, a new jail was built on the corner of Third and Cherry Streets. After the completion of that jail the one in the basement was no longer used. There were two other additions built in 1881 and 1927.
In 1962, Iroquois County resident, Mrs. Katherine Clifton, bequeathed to the county a large sum of money and a site upon which to build a new courthouse and jail.
In 1964 the new jail opened, and in 1965 the new courthouse opened. After the new courthouse was opened the Old Courthouse fell into disuse. It was destined to be sold or torn down. The Old Courthouse was advertised for sale and fell into further disrepair. In 1967, during the Centennial Celebration of Watseka, the Iroquois County Historical Society was organized, and petitions not to sell the Old Courthouse were circulated throughout the county. The County Board of Supervisors approved the petitions, and the Old Courthouse re-opened as a museum that same year.
On June 13, 1975 the Old Courthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
On January 2, 1866 building began. The building was to include 2 vaults and a basement housing the jail and living quarters for the janitor. As winter came on, the building was completed on November 1, 1866. The total cost of the building was $28,000.
In 1893, a new jail was built on the corner of Third and Cherry Streets. After the completion of that jail the one in the basement was no longer used. There were two other additions built in 1881 and 1927.
In 1962, Iroquois County resident, Mrs. Katherine Clifton, bequeathed to the county a large sum of money and a site upon which to build a new courthouse and jail.
In 1964 the new jail opened, and in 1965 the new courthouse opened. After the new courthouse was opened the Old Courthouse fell into disuse. It was destined to be sold or torn down. The Old Courthouse was advertised for sale and fell into further disrepair. In 1967, during the Centennial Celebration of Watseka, the Iroquois County Historical Society was organized, and petitions not to sell the Old Courthouse were circulated throughout the county. The County Board of Supervisors approved the petitions, and the Old Courthouse re-opened as a museum that same year.
On June 13, 1975 the Old Courthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
