This post is about a building that has a lot of personal meaning for me. Instead of telling you a bunch of hard facts about the Putnam County Courthouse, I'm going to tell you what it is to me.
I've always loved this building. As a little girl, it looked like a castle to me. It still does. I do feel an attachment to certain buildings and I think that's part of what led me to be a Realtor in the first place. This building is one of my first loves.
My Grandma worked here as County Clerk before I was born. She used to take the ferry across the river before there was a bridge. (I am old enough to remember when it was still a toll bridge, but young enough not to remember NO bridge.)
When I (finally!) turned 18 and could register to vote, I went straight to the courthouse. The ladies there knew me and knew Grandma, and reserved judgment until they saw "which side" I was on. They were happy with me, I must have gotten that answer right! A tip for living a happy life: Don't go against Grandma.
When my husband and I got married, our marriage certificate went here. They sent us a card. See? That building loves me back.
I vote here, I pay my personal income taxes here. I know several people that work here and it's got a nice hometown feel. Walking in the door is like visiting a relative.
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This morning I walked the grounds with my camera. I've never done that before, and I saw a different aspect of this building.
The grounds have several beautiful tributes to our local heroes. I found the name of a very good family friend who died when I was little. He was a State Trooper who died on duty, and my family along with so many others really mourned his loss.
There are monuments to our soldiers killed, MIA or POW. Emergency workers that died caring for us are remembered.
Today the flag was at half mast. We've lost another hero recently; a 19 year old boy from Scott Depot named Michael Slater. Seeing all the memorials, I had to wonder if one day my daughters would walk here and find one more with Michael's name on it. Michael, thank you for protecting us. I know you didn't lose your life, you gave it. We appreciate what you did for us.
This building represents all of us. It houses the records of our best and worst moments. Maybe the building itself is a memorial to the people of Putnam County.
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