{"nrhp_refnum":"78002087","name":"Highland County Courthouse","other_names":[],"category":"building","location":{"address":"Main and High Sts.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Hillsboro","county":"Highland County","state":"OH","lat":39.202643066000064,"lon":-83.61200169399996,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1978-08-24","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Politics/Government","Architecture","Social History"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A T-shaped, two-story brick courthouse with a limestone foundation at Main and High Streets in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio. The original block was built between 1832 and 1835, and a rear annex was added in 1873.","why_significant":"The nomination argues the building is significant for its blend of Federal and Greek Revival features, which represents a transition in architectural development. It has served as the center of county government for nearly 150 years and is described as the oldest courthouse still functioning in Ohio. It is also a local landmark and a site of community ceremonies.","narrative":"Highland County's courthouse in Hillsboro is a T-shaped, two-story brick building on a limestone foundation. Its original block went up between 1832 and 1835 for $6,600, using stone, brick and timber produced in the county. Pleasant Arthur, then a county commissioner, designed it, and his brother Christopher built it. A $15,000 annex added to the rear in 1873 created the north and south wings. The front shows Greek Revival elements, including Ionic pilasters and a full pediment, while the blind arcades, fanlight entrance and domed octagonal belfry reflect the Federal style. That mix is a main reason for its recognition. The building has housed the Common Pleas and Probate Courts and county offices continuously, and it is described as the oldest courthouse still functioning in Ohio. It has also hosted centennial and bicentennial celebrations and a 1897 Civil War commemoration. White paint applied before 1916 was removed in 1976, returning the brick to its natural look.","period_of_significance":"1833-1835, 1873","architect_builder":"Pleasant Arthur (designer); constructed by his brother Christopher Arthur","architectural_style":"Federal and Greek Revival","criteria":[],"status_note":"Occupied and still in use as the county courthouse; the form lists its condition as deteriorated, and the exterior paint was removed by wet sandblasting in 1976.","vacant_flag":false,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:53:08.92701-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_OH/78002087.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78002087/31fd8852db-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78002087/31fd8852db-1600.webp","licence":"Public domain","author":"Nyttend","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Highland_County_Courthouse,_Hillsboro.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\">Nyttend</a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Highland_County_Courthouse,_Hillsboro.jpg"},"district":{"nrhp_refnum":"84003727","name":"Hillsboro Historic Business District","url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/districts/ohio/hillsboro-historic-business-district-84003727/"},"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/71989355","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_County_Courthouse_(Ohio)","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5758750"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/ohio/highland-county/highland-county-courthouse-78002087/"}