Through The Years

Hd Qrs. Post at Pulaski [Tennessee] April 24, 1864.
"I am glad to learn that the citizens are setting out trees again on the 'Public Square.' It could be made very handsome in a short time with a little care." - Letter from Colonel James B. Weaver to his wife, Clara Vinson Weaver

Fourth of July address on the public square in Bloomfield, July 4, 1876.
"A new and brighter era of peace and prosperity is dawning upon the nation, that ere long will throw the full tide of its glory upon a united people; and in view of this coming prosperity, Davis county will erect a public building that will do honor to the present and future generations." - Colonel S.A. Moore

1870 1876 photo looking to the SE from the tower of the recently completed school building. In November of that year, the middle of the town square was cleared of trees to make way for the courthouse foundation work to commence.

1890 This photo shows the iron fencing and hitching chains. Note how the tops of each picket has the "spear" highlighted. Also is shows the graceful curves of the walkways leading up to the steps. And it shows the area before the pedestal was added.

1900-1910 A photo from the 1900s shows the Courthouse from the southwest corner of the square.

1920 The photo shows some interesting things. The most obvious is the dark clock faces. Some Tolan courthouses did have black faces with white numerals. Note the scroll work on either side of the base of the clock. They never have replaced this missing detail. Also the balustrade above the entry doors and below the central window on the second story.

1930 This photo clearly shows the placement of the first lamp posts. The randomness of the park benches relfects a time when people could drag them about following the shady patches. It is no fun playing cards in the blaze of the sun. This 1938 postcard of the northwest corner looks much like it did 14 years earlier when Henry Roland, the Human Fly, first attempted to climb it. Roland fell about 38 feet from the cornice to the sidewalk below.

1940 A postcard of the courthouse from 1948 shows the pedestal placed in front of the west doors. The water fountains are on all four sides of the base. The lamp post at right in the south courtyard is one of the original lamp posts at its original locations in mid yard instead of flanking the sidewalks. The front of the Iowa Theatre still retains its arched upper story. The movie playing at the time this photo was taken is "Merton of the Movies" starring Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien. The 1978 architect's proposal for the square dates the glass front of the theatre to 1938 - but this is incorrect, that was only the marquee.

1950 This is a postcard of the courthouse from 1958. The Iowa theater shows the glass front it got 10 years earlier. The movie playing is "Don't Drink the Water" starring Glenn Ford and Ann Francis.

2000 A recent photograph of the grounds shows what the courtyard presently looks like and the current condition of the courthouse.

This website is a growing repository of information about the Davis County Courthouse and grounds. We welcome any information, legends, stories, memories, pictures, drawings, maps, etc. All these things will add to our knowledge. We will make them accessible to the public as we update this website. In this way we hope to solve the mysteries and tell the story of this great building, as we continue to work toward its preservation for the enjoyment of future generations. Please contact us if you would like to share photographs or information about the courthouse.

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