Old Lehigh County Courthouse

The Old Lehigh County Courthouse is a Renaissance Revival courthouse on West Hamilton Street in Allentown, featuring a clock tower, vaulted ceilings, and decorative stonework. The building combines three different architectural styles from various phases of its existence.

The original courthouse was constructed between 1814 and 1819 and formed the foundation for all future development at the site. In the following decades, significant expansions were carried out, including a major addition in 1864 and extensive modifications between 1914 and 1916.

The building has appeared on the Lehigh County seal since 1944, symbolizing the legal importance this place holds for the local community. Visitors can see today how it continues to serve as the center of judicial activity in the region.

The building is open to the public, and visitors should expect enhanced security measures that were introduced after comprehensive renovations. Recent improvements include better lighting and improved accessibility for all visitors.

The building displays Federal, Italianate, and Beaux-Arts styles that were mixed during its multi-phase construction, documenting its architectural evolution. This style mixture makes it a visual example of changing design trends over more than a century.

Location: Pennsylvania

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 40.60360,-75.46780

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:41