The Sullivan County Courthouse is a historic courthouse building in downtown Laporte, Pennsylvania, United States. Built in 1894, this Romanesque Revival courthouse is a rectangular building measuring approximately 92 feet by 60 feet, built of brick with a slate roof. Since its construction, it has been the most prominent building in Sullivan County.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.The building is located in the smallest and highest county seat in Pennsylvania, at an elevation of over 2000ft above sea level.Background and historySullivan County was established in 1847. At this time, the county commissioners were informed by their council that they could use any building in the county, and the commissioners each had their own office. Initial plans to build a courthouse in Sullivan County were made as early as 1847. Despite some controversy about whether to place the courthouse in Forksville, Cherry Hill or Laporte, it was eventually decided that it would be located in Laporte. In 1851 Michael Meylert constructed the 44 foot square, three-story brick courthouse. By 1893, the old courthouse's walls were buckling and held together with iron rods. It was torn down in 15 days.The architects Wagner & Reitmeyer of Williamsport designed the new courthouse. The Lawrence Brothers Builders were the contractors for the building, submitting a bid of $24,000. The bricks were laid by William Johnson and Thomas Edwards of Jamestown, New York, and James Gansel did the plastering. Construction began in June 1894 and the first court session in the new building was held in December.
