Our History
The Story of the Grand Old Lady
The story of the Lake Court House begins with its humble origins as a log Post Office on the south side of what is now Crown Point’s downtown square, where it was simply known as the Lake Court House.
In 1850, Solon Robinson, Crown Point’s first permanent settler, and Judge William Clarke generously donated land for the construction of a larger courthouse to replace the original. The cornerstone for the current courthouse was laid in 1878-1879, with the iconic central clocktower standing as the first section of what we now recognize as the Historic Lake Court House.
The building expanded in 1909 with two-story additions on both the north and south sides. A second expansion in 1928 saw additional second-story wings, further enhancing the courthouse’s grandeur.
Designed by the renowned 19th-century architect John C. Cochrane, the Historic Lake Court House is a Victorian Era-Romanesque Georgian building that showcases Cochrane’s expertise. Cochrane's portfolio includes numerous landmarks across the Midwest, such as the Illinois State Capital, Iowa State Capital, Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and courthouses in Pontiac, Illinois, and Marshalltown, Iowa.
The construction of the courthouse required an impressive 500,000 hand-kiln bricks sourced from the Henry Wise Brickyard in Crown Point, which was located on Walnut Street across from what is now Col. John Wheeler Middle School.
The cost of building the original brick courthouse in 1878-79 was $52,000. The 1909 addition came in at $160,000, and the 1928 expansion added another $85,000 to the total.
In recognition of its historical significance, the Lake Court House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The Marriage Mill
From 1915 to 1940, the Lake Court House became known for its prolific wedding ceremonies. During its peak, Harvey Minas and two other justices of the peace performed between 200 and 300 weddings a month, with an estimated 175,000 couples married during that period. In 1937 alone, 11,410 couples received their marriage licenses here.
At the height of "The Marriage Mill," a marriage license cost just $2, and there was no waiting period or blood test required. Grooms had to be 21, brides 18, and both had to be sober for the ceremony. The Lake County Clerk’s Office was even open 24/7 to accommodate the high demand.
The courthouse’s easy marriage process attracted couples from across the nation. Notable figures, including World Heavyweight Champion Boxer Muhammad Ali and actor Rudolph Valentino, were married here. Additionally, future President Ronald Reagan wed his first wife, Jane Wyman, in 1940 at the Historic Lake Court House.
The Foundation
The Lake Court House Foundation Inc. was established in 1975 to safeguard the building’s future after county government operations moved to new facilities in 1978. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure the ongoing preservation of this historic gem for generations to come.
Governed by an 18-member board, the Foundation is responsible for overseeing the building’s operations and securing its financial stability. Importantly, the Lake Court House is a privately-owned building and does not receive tax dollars for support. Its preservation is funded entirely through private donations and operational revenues.
