Richland County Courthouse
Richland County's courthouse, formally dedicated Jan. 22, 1873, has for one reason or another provoked much - heated controversy through the years. These feelings have ranged from deep attachment to the edifice to those who hate it with a vehemence (they said it was an architectural monstrosity). There are numerous pictures and drawings in existence that show the building in various stages of changes which have taken place in its 112 year history. This photo is considered rare since it shows the courthouse without its superstructure and clock tower. Another rare feature of this picture taken in 1896 shows the cannons as they originally were. Later the cannons were placed at each corner of the park, and now, retrieved from the junk heap, "guard" the entrance to the Mansfield  Police Pistol Range and Lodge at Clearfork Reservoir. Historical accounts of 1907 state that when the clock tower was finally refurbished, a search for the $9,000 clock  finally uncovered it in the basement of the old Mansfield Blockhouse. The Blockhouse was originally reconstructed on the immediate south side of the courthouse. On march 16, 1878, the clock tower was provided with gas lights so the citizens could see the clock face at night. On Feb. 18, 1909, while the Blockhouse was being moved to its present location in South Park, the pyramid of cannons tumbled down. many persons observing the collapse thought it to be some mystic omen, while others viewed the event more realistically as the result of erosion over many winters taking its toll.