Reports out of Jasper County say the Jasper County Courthouse, similar to the Wayne County Courthouse in Fairfield, is old, and officials are deciding whether to renovate the building or replace it. The topic was discussed at a special meeting of the Jasper County Board this past Thursday night.
The structure was built between 1876 and 1878. An engineer’s report said the structure is near its maximum lifespan, and also indicated the cost to renovate the building could equal or exceed the cost of a new structure.
There was support from the public to maintain the current courthouse, and some residents wondered whether converting it into a county museum would be an option.
The Jasper County Board is expected to make a formal decision on how to proceed at the next meeting, set for February 15th.