Part V - Government, a supplement to the Big Rapids Pioneer Newspaper. Used with permission.





MECOSTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT - FROM RENTED SPACE TO COURTHOUSE TO COUNTY BUILDING

Mecosta County's first courthouse was modeled after a similar courthouse in Mount Clemons, Macomb County, when it opened in 1886 and served Mecosta County through 1970 when the aging structure was demolished to make room for a larger county courthouse.

The grand old buildings boirth really began in 1883 when the voters of Mecosta County voted to raise $30,000 in a two year period to build a structure to house county offices, at that time it rented quarters in the city of Big Rapids.

On May 7, 1885 a building committee headed by James W. Fuller of Big Rapids entered an agreement with Northrup J. Gibbs of Mt. Clemons as the architect and instructed him to "make a full set of plans, details and specifications for the erection of a courthouse in the city iof Big Rapids. The size and general design of the building to be similar to the Macomb County Court House at Mount Clemons.

On June 16, 1885, a cintract was sugned for the low bid of $28,974.49 with Crocker and Hudnutt, a partnership of John M. Crocker and Edward W. Hudnutt of Big Rapids for the building to be "roofed" by Dec. 1, 1985 and completed, ready to occupy, "on or before the first day of July A.D. 1886."

It was built in the typical architectural style of the age with high ceilings, tall windiows, beautifully carved and tooled woodwork, paneling and staircases done in Oak and blackash providing an atmosphere of antique elegrance to the interior.

The exterior was of split field stone to the first floor, brick facing to the eaves and standstone capping arched over the doorways and windows.

A high peaked slate roof was topped off with a tall clock tower on the northwest corner and a statue of "Justice" placed on the peak above the north entrance.

Both were removed in the 1940's, the clock tower for safety reasons and the statue possibly because of its scrap metal value for the war drive.

In October of 1970 an auction was held to sell any furniture and other materials not removed to the new Mecosta County Building and the grand old structure was demolished.





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