Carroll County Courthouse, 1897

Photographer Unknown

Carroll County's founding in 1837 required the construction of a Courthouse, Jail, and Alms House.  Isaac Shriver donated the land for the new Courthouse and Col. James M. Shellman, Westminster's first mayor, designed the building.  Col. Shellman prepared a conservative yet impressive Greek Revival plan to which a cupola and portico were soon added.  Contractor Conrad Moul submitted the low bid $9,800 to construct the basic building and also received additional monies for the cupola and portico.  East and west wings were added in 1882 and enlarged in 1935 to help handle expanding caseloads.  Some local cases are still tried in the courthouse and the building also houses a law library.