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Common Pleas Court

Local History

A brief historical overview of the Meigs County Courthouse and the Court of Common Pleas, serving the community since 1848.

The 1848 Courthouse

The Meigs County Courthouse in daylight, seen across the fountain on the plaza, with the United States flag hanging between its front columns.
The Meigs County Courthouse today, from the fountain plaza.

The Meigs County Courthouse, an enduring symbol of justice and community heritage, was erected in 1848. Its architectural design reflects the solemnity and decorum expected of judicial institutions during the mid-19th century, featuring sturdy brickwork and classical proportions that have stood the test of time.

Over the decades, the building has witnessed the evolving legal landscape of southeastern Ohio, serving as a steadfast anchor for local governance. It was designed not merely as a functional space but as a monument to transparency and civic duty.

The Old Courthouse at Chester

The old Meigs County Courthouse at Chester, Ohio — a two-storey red brick building with white-trimmed windows, standing on a grassy rise beside the United States flag.
The old Meigs County Courthouse at Chester, Ohio.

Meigs County has not always held court in Pomeroy. An earlier Meigs County courthouse still stands at Chester, and it is the oldest standing county courthouse in Ohio.

The plain brick building is a world away from the columns and cupola of the 1848 courthouse, but the work it was built for is the work this Court still does.

It is no longer in use as a courthouse. All Common Pleas business is conducted at the courthouse in Pomeroy.