Potter County Courthouse
Why it's listed
Built in brick between 1851 and 1853 in Coudersport, the Potter County Courthouse is a two-and-one-half-story block with stone quoins, five bays wide and six deep, standing in an open courthouse square. William Bell of Warren County built the original structure, which was built in a Greek Revival manner. Between 1888 and 1889, alterations gave it a steep slate roof with projecting center gables, Victorian brackets, and an inset clock tower topped by a vaulted conical roof with dormers. Homer Hall, an architect from Olean, New York, began the remodeling, and George Abson completed it after Hall resigned. The building is regarded as a fine example of Victorian architecture, and its setting in the town square gives it a stately presence. Its construction was once criticized as an extravagant use of tax money. It has served the county as a civic focal point for more than a century.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the courthouse is a fine example of Victorian architecture, blending Greek Revival massing with later Victorian elements. Its open town-square setting gives it a stately appearance suited to its role in county political life. It has served as the county seat's focal point for over a century, and its construction once provoked a notable controversy over the use of tax money.
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 75001664, listed February 24, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E. 2nd St., Coudersport |
|---|---|
| County | Potter County |
| Listed | February 24, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001664 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1851-1853, 1888-1889 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with later Victorian elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Serves as the county courthouse; the document states it is barely adequate for county needs. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Within district | Coudersport Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.77467, -78.02027 (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 75001664.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7235255
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.