The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-05-16
lFrom ne Ohio Eaele, Nay 81
The New Court House---Itssite.

I
For some time the question OF
the location OF the new Court
House was known TO be pending
before the County Commissioners,
and great interest has been felt in
the decision to be arrived at by
them. Only two sites have been
much spoken of-cne on the hill,
at the southeast corner of High and
Main streets, and the other at the
northeast corner of Broadway and
Main streets, that is on the Public
Square. Last Thursday. the Com
missioners resolved to adopt the
former site.
We venture to say that this de-
cision was unexpected TO all who
had made themselves acquainted
with the facts and had thought
carefully on the subject. and we do
not risk much in saying that the
decision is received with very gen.
eral regret which would probably
take a stronger word Tor its ex-
preston, ifit were not hoped that
the Commissioners would recon
slider their action and reverse it.
We present, IN few words, some
reasons why in our opinion the
Commissioners should reverse their
decision and adopt the Square 10
cation. The public offices must
necessarily be in or near the Court
house, and the Commissioners, rec.
ognizing this necessity, have adopt
ed a plan which embraces oil the
county offices. Now must every
mau, woman ana enid from the
country, having business at the Of
ficc of Probate Judge, Treasurer,
Recorder, Clerk, Surveyor, or Au,
ditor, walk up the Hill from the
business part of town? We say
from the business part of town, for
every one from the country will, of
necessity, visit that part of town
and mako headquarters there. And
SO with jurors, witnesses and par
ties attending Court. Located at
the old Court house, witnesses and
jurors pnd parties could attend to
business on the street and yet be
within easy call of the Court; and
SO it would be with the lower site
now proposed, But, on the hill,
they must hang round the Court
house or be subject to pains and
penalties for absence. And the
same hardship will be en- the bust
ness men Of town.
1t is claimed that the growth OF
the city must be east of High
Street, and that therefore, in few
years, the hill site will be in the
center of population. That may
possibly be the case in fifty years
from now, and not much sooner.
But that fact is in i,solf of no i'm
portance. Business will never
leave the level part of town to go
on the hill while there is room for
iton the level and with Colum-
bus Street and Broadway for bust
ness, besides Main Street west of
Public Square, no sane man can
think of business climbing the hill.
Though residences may crowd the
eastern slope of the hill to Bald.
wins Run, business will keep on
the level ofthe canal and depots to
avoid expensive drayage. it for no
other reason.
Butanother fact is important to
be considered in determining this
location: That is that the people
of every township in the county
except Rushcreek, Richland and
Pleasant-enter tho city, princi-
pally, and most of them altogether,
by roads west of the hill. Ger
tainly their convenience ought to
be regarded. And, it may be add.
ed, that so far as known, tho peo-
pie of these eastern townships are
in favor of the public square loca-
tion. 1t is just as important to
them as to any others, considered
with reference to business.
AS to tho beauty of location, tho
hill has no advantage. On the
public square, the Court.house
will be seen by all who enter the
city, for it will be in the center of
activity and the meeting point of
all currents of travel; while on the
hill, though it may be seen from J..
far, il will be noticed particularly
only by those who put themselves
to the trouble of going up the hill
to examine it. 1t may glitter like
jewel on the hill, but to most cit
izens of the county, and to nearly
all strangers visiting tho city, it
will be ajewel locked up out of
sight.
These considerations satisfy us
that public opinion, which is now
almost unanimous against the hill
location, will, as experience proves
the truth Of these propositions,
should tho Courthouse be built on
the hill, warm up ina short time
into public indignation against all
who were instrumental ia making
the hill location.
b.. =
Ft. Wayne, Ind, heretofore over