The Wood County Courthouse in Bowling Green can be seen from miles away. Built in the late 1800’s, the courthouse is a elaborate stone structure with a central clock tower that reaches 195 feet into the sky.
Ground was first broken for the courthouse on November 28, 1893 and construction lasted until September of 1896, costing eventually $255,746.84, a bit over the original budget of $200,000.
The exterior walls of the structure are made completely of stone; a mix of limestone, granite, and sandstone were used. Inside, the floors and master stairway are made of marble. The walls in the large upper chamber are painted with murals depicting scenes from early days in Wood County.
Throughout the building ornate elements abound, from custom doorknobs to the massive colored-glass ceiling above the central atrium. All around the exterior of the building, intricate handmade carvings of faces and gargoyle-like creatures watch outward from the walls.