Fulton County Courthouse, courthouse in New York, United States
The Fulton County Courthouse is a courthouse in Johnstown that has been operating since 1772. The building stands on West Main Street and features an original bell in its tower along with several historic rooms used for court proceedings and important local gatherings over more than two centuries.
The courthouse was built in 1772, just before the American Revolution, and is the oldest continuously operating courthouse in New York. The region experienced battles during the war, including the Battle of Johnstown just 17 days after a court session, and later became the seat of justice under the name Montgomery County before finally becoming Fulton County.
The courthouse played a central role in Johnstown's founding, with Irish settler Sir William Johnson directing its development and negotiating directly with the Mohawk people. The building and surrounding streets still reflect these early connections between European settlers and the indigenous population.
The courthouse is located downtown on West Main Street in Johnstown and is easily accessible on foot. The building remains active today and can be viewed from outside, with visitors able to spot markers that point to its historical importance and connections to significant people.
A bell tower with an original bell that was rung to mark important historical moments like Cornwallis's surrender remains a landmark of the courthouse. This bell connects the modern court daily to sounds from colonial times.
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