Old Tooele County Courthouse

By 1898 Tooele County had outgrown its old courthouse and set about building this one. That April the county commissioners — Bevan, Bracken, and Hammond — resolved that the conditions were right, hired architect John P. Hill at five percent of the cost, and put the work out to contract. The record reads like a ledger of a town building itself: Robert Scott took the basement for $1,120, John Martin supplied 115,000 bricks at $6.75 a thousand, the Gollahers did the shingling. Built just two years after Utah won statehood, it served the county well into the next century.

What the plaque says

Old Tooele County Courthouse 1999 Centennial Year At a regular meeting of the County Commissioners, consisting of John A. Bevan, William Bracken of St. John, and George Hammond of Grantsville, a Resolution of Order was written into the minutes of April 5, 1898. They had thoroughly investigated the matter of building a County Courthouse, and found all conditions favorable. John P. Hill had submitted plans and specifications, and was employed as Architect at a commission of 5% of the estimated cost. Fred Lionberg was given the general contract. Robert Scott received the contract for $1,120.00 to excavate, furnish material and put in the basement. John Martin was awarded the contract to furnish 115,000 brick at $6.75 per thousand. James Gollaher and Sons Co. did the shingling. It was resolved that the County Courthouse be erected upon what was known as "The County Poor House" lot. The building was of the typical modern day architecture, two story with a basement, constructed of sandstone foundation, brick wall, and wood floors. In 1899, the building was ready for occupancy. For a number of years after its erection, the Courthouse stood on a bare plot of land, but in 1905, Sheriff Ophir A. Evans persuaded the Commissioners to plant lawn and trees. The landscaping was under the direction of Fred Hansen and Jimmy Cairescio Lawns and maple trees were planted and gravel walks were constructed. Across the front of the grounds they erected an ornamental iron fence which stood for many years before being removed. Our County Courthouse, with its shaded grounds and handsome edifice, was a tribunal and sanctuary for our County from 1899 thru 1973, 74 years in all. The Courthouse was demolished in 1974 after the new Courthouse was completed. Existing County Courthouse A brief ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, February 23, 1973 signaled the start of construction for the new Tooele County Courthouse. It, being completed in late fall of 1973, and dedicated on October 12, 1974. [ceremonial names and titles not transcribed]

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Bingham Canyon Mine — 7.7 mi
  The largest man-made excavation on Earth
• Great Salt Lake — 19 mi
  The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere
• Saltair — 19 mi
  A haunting lakeside resort with a storied past
• International Peace Gardens — 24 mi
  A hidden garden where 28 countries are represented in miniature

More markers nearby

• Old Tooele Ward Church (2) Markers — steps away
• Pioneer City Hall — steps away
• Pioneer Log Cabin — steps away
• Tooele's Mud Wall — 0.2 mi