1879–1880, B. D. Everingham and Company (architects and contractors). N. Elm St. at Park Pl.
The Howard County Courthouse is essentially Italianate in design, with heavily arched windows; broad, overhanging eaves with entablatures and brackets; and the usual round windows within the gable ends. Its cruciform plan centers on a central cupolalike tower. The tower stylistically moves away from the Italianate, though the resulting image is difficult to pin down precisely. At the corners are attached heavy columnar forms which continue up and become finials projecting above the roof; each facade ends in a semi-circular roof which in turn projects into the spirelike roof. In the mid-1960s, additions and extensive internal remodeling took place, none of which was sympathetic or contextual in nature.