Venango County Courthouse - 1168 Liberty St

A symbol of Venango County, this our third building to be erected as a courthouse was designed by architects Sloan & Hutton of Philadelphia and constructed (1867-1869) by J. W. Brady, a local builder. The small tower was originally furnished with a large bell and the tall tower housed the clock. The bell is gone but the ropes are still in place reminding us of the days when its ring would signal important communication for the town. In 1912 extensive renovations took place at the courthouse and in the early 1930s a rear addition was added. The Italianate structure is impressive with its pedimented and pilasted central pavilion flanked by square bays with uneven towers. A custom still in use today is that of the call of the Court Crier to open court proceedings.