Bloomington (Monroe County, Indiana) Herald Telephone, February 17, 1951, p. 11. NOTE: The item below is abbreviated from the original as noted by the ellipsis. Much of the information from this article is included in Blanchard's History of Morgan, Monroe and Brown County, Indiana. The item was the last of 72 items written by Reed about the early history of Bloomington and Monroe County for publication in the Telephone. The item was accompanied by a single photograph, taken in June 1906. Those included were: John E. Kelley, deputy clerk; Henry J. Feltus, editor of the Star; Joseph H. Campbell, clerk; Henry A. Lee; William "Tobe" East; Claude G. Mallott, Mayor; Thomas J. Sare; J. E. Darby; Walter E. Hottel; Ira C. Batman; Edwin M. Corr; Frank J. Dunn; Henry Clay Duncan; John R. East; Judge James B. Wilson; William F. Browning, city clerk; John H. Louden; Judge Robert W. Miers; Jess B. Fields; Rufus H. East; R. L. Morgan; Roy O. Pike; Roger G. Miller; T. J. Louden; Claude Steele and John P. O'Donnell. PLOTTING, PLANNING OF BLOOMINGTON FELL OT OF THREE-MEMBER BOARD With the legal formation of Monroe County in January 1818, came the quick establishment of Bloomington as the county seat.At a special meeting held by the county board on April 14, 1818, the building of the county's first court house was officially ordered. The site chosen was court house square already surveyed and allotted to such purpose.The affair was to consist of two rooms.Dimensions of one room called for 20x20 feet, the other 12x20 feet. Presiding over the courts of that year was a president judge appointed by both houses of the General Assembly. Serving with him were to associate judges elected by the voters of the county. President Judge Thomas Blake and Associate Judges Berry and Noel are said to have been Monroe County's first judges. (T)he temporary court house was only to suffice until the board devised ways and means for erecting a permanent building. Decision along that line was reached in February 1819. The board announced the county was in a position to finance building a more pretentious court house. William Lowe then submitted plans that he had drawn up. Examination of Lowe's plans brought out the building would be 40x45 feet, two story, made of brick with stone foundation and trim. No court house was considered complete unless it had a tower. Included in William Lowe's plans was one that would extend twelve feet about the roof. And to keep the folks informed on wind directions, a weather van atop the tower was also specified. By board order, the weather van was to be "polished brass and patterned after the manner of a perch fish." .John Ketcham was awarded the contract (to build the new court house). The temporary log court house was sold to James Matlock for $12.00. The next few years, while the new courthouse was being built, were filled with misunderstanding and squabbling. Several changes in construction were made as work progressed. David Armstrong, it seems, had been engaged to build the court house tower which, in the board's judgment, should be strong enough to support a 150 pound bell. It came to pass that contractor John Ketcham severely compromised the way Armstrong was building the tower. In the course of events, the two men became at loggerheads.In the spring of 1825, the court house was accepted "as far as the same has progress." .Two wings on the east and west sides of the courthouse were added in 1856-1858.Extensive alterations were made in 1884. (I)ts life span was coming to a close when board members James Davis, Jacob Miller and Isaac Mitchell met in session Mach 6, 1906. In mind was a new county court house that would be modern in design, more spacious and with up-to-date furnishings. ..The building was ordered to be constructed at once. The board further said "That mistakes may be averted and criticism avoided so we may have the best building possible, we ask the judge of the court to appoint a citizens building committee without pay." Functions of the committee were to consult and advise from courthouse beginning to completion. Appointed as members of the Citizens Building Committee were: Father M. H. Bogeman, P. K. Buskirk, Fred Mathers, J D. Showers and S. C. Freese. Ordered for sale was the (old) court house and the adjacent brick building that had, at one time, been used to house the library and the county clerk.The highest and best bidder, the board so advised, could have the buildings but not the court house furnishings. The clock, fish weather vane, bell, furniture and fixtures would be retained by the county.James A. Pike proved he was the highest and best bidder. He had offered $100.00, and his bid was accepted. On June 1, 1908, the new court house was accepted as complete.