Barnstable County Courthouse

The Barnstable County Courthouse is sited on a hill overlooking Barnstable Village and harbor and Cape Cod bay beyond. It is surrounded by approximately 4 acre of landscaped building reflects its public institutional function and its primary role in the develop- ment of Barnstable County. The original structure was rectangular in plan and rose two stories to a pitched roof. It is constructed of coursed rough faced Quincy granite with corner quoins of lighter gray granite. Fenestration throughout the building is regular and consists of 8/8 double hung sash at the first story and 12/12 double hung sash at the second story. The roof, originally covered with slate, is now asphalt shingle. Atop its front pitch is an eight colum cupola with a copper cap set on a three tier base.

The most imposing feature of the courthouse is its correctly detailed Greek Doric por- tico. Four fluted colums support an entablature whose architrave bears the words "Barnstable County Court House" and whose frieze is detailed with triglyphs and metopes. A triangular pediment with raking cornice and mutules completes the composition. Al- though the portico appears to be constructed of granite it is actually fashioned of The only feature of the facade, behind the portico, is a generously scaled entry which appears to be a colonial revival addition. It consists of two eight paneled doors su rmounted by first a glazed transom and then a solid transom. These elements are enframed by simple pilasters and a cornice which is supported on consoles.

entry is approached by three granite steps upon which the colums of the portico rest. Additions to the building have included the following: In 1897, a 24' by 26' south central wing was added. The architect was Samuel D.Kelley, the Bay State Brick Co.

(in one paragraph) The Barnstable County Courthouse possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship and is significant on several levels. First, it has served as the seat of county govemment and justice since its construction in 1831 and therefore has played a role in many of the important events which have shaped the history of Cape Cod. Second, many of the county's most respected citizens have served at the Courthouse and even some nationally known lawyers like Daniel Webster have argued cases there. Finally, the Courthouse, which may have been designed by the well known architect, Alexander Parris, is a fine example of the monumental Greek Revival style. Therefore the Courthouse meets criteria A,B, and C of the National Register of Historic Places.

The first courthouse session on Cape Cod was held in Barnstable Village in 1686. The first Colonial Courthouse for the Cape was erected in 1774 in that village and is still standing. On the night of October 22, 1827, the Barnstable County House burned to the ground taking with it most deed and probate records. After this, the registers of deeds and probates, etc. kept these records in their homes. In 1828, arrangements were made for the erection of the jpresent Superior Court. Ground was broken for it on November 7, 1831 and the building was completed by the following Now for the first time the offices of the court and the rest of the county could be combined. This was also the original office of the first County Conmissioners; Mathew Cobb of Banstable, Samuel T.

Croswell of Falmouth, and Obed Brooks of Harwich. Their positions were created when in 1828 the old Courts of Sessions and the Comm- issioners of Highways were abolished by the legislature. Most county offices are still in this building.