Carthage Courthouse Square Historic District

Carthage's courthouse square in Hancock County, Illinois, is a district of brick commercial buildings arranged around the 1908 Beaux Arts courthouse, a three-story building with five domes and a clock tower topped by a figure of justice. The district covers nine quarter-blocks and two corner sites, and every building faces inward toward the courthouse. Its contributing buildings date from 1856, when the Greek Revival Masonic/Odd Fellows Hall was built, to 1923, when the Journal Building went up. Styles include Italianate, Romanesque and plain vernacular commercial, and masonry is used throughout, mostly red clay brick. The father-and-son architects George and Edgar Payne designed or influenced many of the buildings, including oriel windows repeated around the square. Banks, shops, offices and apartments have occupied the buildings over time. Despite altered storefronts, most upper facades survive, giving each block a consistent character. The square has remained the commercial center of the county seat.