Edgar County Courthouse, Romanesque Revival courthouse in Paris, Illinois.
Edgar County Courthouse is a county courthouse in Romanesque Revival style with twin exterior towers, medieval dormers, and a tall central clock tower with layered design. The building has four entrances positioned between adjacent tower pairs, with each side featuring a central section topped by a tall gable.
The building was constructed between 1891 and 1893 by architect Henry Elliott as the third courthouse to serve Edgar County. It was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 for its Romanesque Revival design and architectural significance.
The courthouse shapes the downtown of Paris with its distinctive red brick presence and twin towers visible from many streets. Local residents visit regularly for legal matters and civic business, making it a living hub of the community.
The courthouse sits downtown on West Court Street and is open during weekday business hours. Keep in mind that this is an active government building, so only certain areas are accessible to visitors walking through.
The four separate entrances are strategically placed between the tower pairs, creating a spatial symmetry that was uncommon in courthouses of that era. This arrangement allowed different groups to enter separately, improving the flow of people through different court functions.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
