Historical Significance: The first court sessions held in Washington County were in 1846 in the Presbyterian meetinghouse. The following year court was held at the Methodist meetinghouse, and in 1850 court was held in a log building on a quarter section of land purchased from David Hill. This land is now called Courthouse Square, and is the present site of the courthouse. Hillsboro was originally called Colombia, but was changed to Hillsborough in honor of David Hill. In 1858 the name was shortened to Hillsboro. In 1852 plans were made to build a wood framed building on the courthouse square. Bids were accepted, and the new courthouse was built at a cost of $3,301. It was a two story building with 22 windows. It was well built, constructed of native pine and cedar “erected ...in a faithful and workmanlike manner...” The next building episode was hindered by financial difficulties. In 1871 a brick building was started, but the first contractor refused the terms of the contract and the project was delayed for a year until the court held session again. The next contractor was several months late in completing the job, and he further displeased the court by charging more than the original contract called for. The court refused to accept the building, but later a compromise was reached, and the building was finished in 1873. The total cost of the building was $12,392.56, which was $392.52 over the original contract. This building was extensively remodeled in 1891 for a total cost of $18,282.65, and an addition was made later in 1912. In 1927 the brick courthouse was replaced with the present building, which incorporates the 1912 annex of the old 1871-1873 building. The 1927 courthouse cost $128, 357 to construct. Circa 1895, a bandstand was erected on the northeast corner of Courthouse Square. It was later moved to the northwest corner of the Square, and was removed circa 1930. The Sequoia trees were planted in 1880 by John Porter, to enhance the entrance of the 1871-1873 Courthouse. Porter was a pioneer nurseryman who brought the seeds for these trees form California where he had been during the gold rush. The sequoias were approximately 3 years old when they were planted. Courthouse Square is significant for its interpretive value to the history of Washington County. The building sequences reflect the periods of growth in the County and the City, and the buildings themselves provide a focal point for the study of City and County history. The landscaping features the Porter Sequoias, which are champion trees, a landmark, and are historically significant. |