Highland County Courthouse
Why it's listed
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.
Significance in brief: 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.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78002087, listed August 24, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main and High Sts., Hillsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Highland County |
| Listed | August 24, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002087 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1833-1835, 1873 |
| Architect / builder | Pleasant Arthur (designer); constructed by his brother Christopher Arthur |
| Architectural style | Federal and Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | 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. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Within district | Hillsboro Historic Business District |
| Coordinates | 39.20264, -83.61200 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78002087.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5758750
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.