Allen County officials gathered at the northeast corner of the Allen County Courthouse this morning to rededicate the cornerstone that was damaged in early February of 2024.
Allen County Board of Commissioners news release:
Allen County Dedicates Restored Cornerstone
Allen County, Indiana (October 14, 2025) – The Allen County Board of Commissioners, along with representatives of the Allen County Courthouse Preservation Trust, gathered at the northeast corner of the Allen County Courthouse this morning to rededicate the cornerstone that was damaged in early February of 2024.
Robyn Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Courthouse Preservation Trust, shared that, “Originally, a building’s cornerstone was the first foundational stone that was set and the one that ensured that the entire building would be straight and plumb. In time, the cornerstone took on a more ceremonial significance honoring the builders and commemorating the completion date.” Ceremonially placed cornerstones typically also include the date construction commenced, the name of the builders, and elected officials or leaders that made the construction possible.
Board President of the Courthouse Preservation Trust Madelane Elston spoke about the historical significance of the building while declaring that it is a “grand structure for a very proud community,” and discussed some of the steps taken to complete the restoration. She shared that the construction of the courthouse was completed in 1902 of Indiana limestone, with granite, white Carrara marble, intricate mural paintings, sculptures, and stained glass used to decorate the interior. The building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. And further distinguished in 2003 as a National Historic Landmark, the highest honor for a building, recognizing its value as a national historic treasure.
When the cornerstone was damaged, one of the first phone calls that the Trust made was to the National Parks Service, she explained, with whom they consult on all restoration projects. Elston shared that, “they encouraged us to repair the damage while keeping as much of the original stone as possible. It does show a visible scar, but that adds to her [the courthouse’s] story.”
Commissioner Therese Brown spoke on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Rich Beck, and Commissioner Ron Turpin, who were also in attendance. She explained, “In the State of Indiana, the County Board of Commissioners acts as the custodian of county property – the buildings and real estate. We take seriously the duty of stewardship of our county’s resources.” She went on to share that, “We didn’t just inherit a building from our predecessors; we’ve been entrusted with a symbol of order and justice. The dedication and craftsmanship that went into this building indicates the importance and prominence our forefathers placed in the courthouse of our county seat. By caring for this building, we reaffirm that belief.”
The county worked with Paul Lindsay at MSKTD, Logan Cook at WJE, and Mark Kuberski at Central Building and Preservation. As Senior Architect on the project, Lindsay said, “It was a true honor to support the Commissioners and the Allen County Courthouse Trust in restoring the cornerstone of this historic, local landmark. Every decision was made with intention—carefully balancing preservation and repair to ensure the integrity of the building’s legacy. This project reflects the power of thoughtful collaboration and the deep respect we all hold for this building’s place in the community.”
There were various stages of planning before the stone was repaired. The architect and engineer assembled drawings and requested bids. Central Building and Preservation was selected due to their extensive background in historic preservation on limestone buildings. An important stage was internal imaging to check for any voids in the stone or foreign objects like metal that could pose a hazard when cutting into it. Ground Penetrating Radar was used to confirm the void where the original architectural drawings and historical notes from the Laying of the Cornerstone Ceremony in 1897 indicated there was a void where a time capsule was stored. The contractor wanted to make sure that when removing the damaged stone, they did not penetrate the void and/or time capsule. Three (3) to-scale carved limestone mockups were provided to allow the Trust to select the best possible repair for the building.
The Commissioners, Trust Board Members, and others involved in the project placed their hands on the stone to symbolically set it into place. Commissioner Brown closed the ceremony by saying, “By preserving the courthouse, we preserve a landmark that is part of the identity and character of Allen County. So let this rededicated cornerstone serve as a testament—not only to the resilience of this building, but to the resilience of our community. Let us rededicate it now, with pride, with reverence, and with the promise to keep building on the foundation it represents.”
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