Highland County is named for the position of the country on high terrain.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Clinton County and Fayette County
E – Ross County and Pike County
S – Adams County and Brown County
W – Brown County and Clinton County
Created: May 1, 1805 
New Market 1805
Hillsboro 1805 – present
County Courthouse – Hillsboro
Location: 105 North High Street / West Main Street
Built: 1832 – 1834
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Pleasant Arthur
Contractor: Jonathan Henry and Christopher Arthur
Description: The building faces east and is a two story dark red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Hillsboro. The east front has a wide portico with six white colored Ionic columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. There is a transom and fanlight above the large wooden double doors. Windows on either side of the door are rectangular in shape and are located within a recessed arch. Above each window and the door are rectangular windows with a lantern hung above the entrance. A drum rises from the pitched roof and supports a lantern with arched vents and capped by a small dome. A weathervane tops the tower. The roof is sloped. In the interior, the County Court of Common Pleas courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the County Court of Common Pleas – General and Domestic Relations Divisions and County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile and Probate Divisions. In 1883 to 1884, a red colored brick addition was constructed on the west side. The ornate chimneys were removed in 1961 by contractor Clyde Maines. The building was renovated in 1978. The architect was Wright-Keske-Kritscchgau, Inc. and the contractor was Great Oks Company Inc. On the northwest side is the old County Jail which was constructed in 1894 to 1895. The stone mason was Jerry Foley. On the wast side is the County Administration Building constructed in 1976.
Note: In 1832, the bid was let to Jonathan Henry for $6,000.00 to built the courthouse. Jonathon Henry died and Christopher Arthur completed the construction in 1834. The Building Commission did not accept the building until March 1835 by reason of disputed change order costs of $1,000.00.
Note: The building is the oldest courthouse in Ohio which is still used as a courthouse.
See: Ohio Court of Appeals – Chillicothe ( 4th Appellate District )
History: The county was created in 1805 and New Market was selected as the county seat. The county seat was moved to Hillsboro in 1805. The first courthouse was a two story brick structure designed by John Shields and built in 1807 at a cost of $4,350. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1832 to 1834 at a cost of $6,667.
County Courthouse – Hillsboro
County Court of Common Pleas courtroom
Old County Jail – Hillsboro
County Administration Building – Hillsboro
Photos taken 2011 and 2012
Images 18*