Allegheny County Courthouse, County courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh, United States.
The Allegheny County Courthouse is a county courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh with five floors of granite blocks, a central courtyard and a clock tower above Grant Street. The building houses the divisions for Civil, Criminal, Family and Orphans Court as well as Pittsburgh Municipal Court.
Architect Henry Hobson Richardson designed the building as replacement for the previous courthouse that burned down in 1882 after 41 years of service. Construction was completed in 1888 and created a new standard for public architecture in America.
Vincent Nesbert painted five murals on the ground floor in 1937 with themes like Industry, Justice, Peace, Fort Duquesne and the Battle of Grant's Hill. These works show the region's story through the eyes of an artist from the Depression era.
The courthouse stands at 436 Grant Street and is open to visitors during weekdays. Most courtrooms and public areas are on the lower floors, making it easier to find your way around the building.
The central courtyard was designed to let natural light and fresh air reach nearly every room in the building. This approach was new for government buildings at the time and influenced many other courthouses across the United States later on.
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