Washington County Courthouse

Washington County Courthouse is a county judicial building in Salem featuring Richardsonian Romanesque design with a prominent five-story corner tower topped by a conical roof. Built from stone quarried locally, it continues to serve as the administrative and judicial center of the county.

The building was completed in 1888 by brothers Harry P. McDonald and his partner from Louisville, replacing two earlier courthouses at the same location. It received National Register recognition in 1980.

The courthouse sits at the heart of Salem among 19th-century buildings that reflect different architectural approaches of that era. It anchors the downtown area and is where visitors can read the building's story through its materials and design.

The courthouse sits on Public Square in downtown Salem and is easy to find on foot. As an active judicial building, certain areas may not be open to the public, so it is best viewed from outside.

The building was constructed entirely from limestone quarried from nearby sources in the region. This direct connection to local geology makes it a physical expression of Indiana's natural landscape.

Location: Salem

Architects: McDonald Brothers

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 38.60556,-86.10083

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:45