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2022 JASPER COUNTY FACT BOOK
COUNTY LANDMARKS
Historic Landmarks
Jasper County Courthouse Added in 1983. Address: 115 W. Washington St., Rensselaer.
The Remington Water Tower and Town Hall Added in 2003. Address: 3 E. Michigan St., Remington.
Fountain Park Chautauqua Added in 2001. Address: 6244 W. County Road. 1600 S, Remington.
Jasper County Courthouse The historic Jasper County Courthouse, just celebrating its 125th year October 2021, was built in 1898 and is still in use today. The Jasper County Courthouse that sits in the center of the Rensselaer downtown square is not the first county courthouse. The structure of Bedford limestone, turrets, curving arches and gabled dormers is the third courthouse to house the county government. According to “The Jasper County Courthouse 1896-1996,” in late 1839, a log building was constructed in Newton (Rensselaer). In 1845, a second courthouse was built with a frame building, while in 1857 a third courthouse was built of brick. The third building was damaged by fire that started under mysterious circumstances on Jan. 18, 1865, according to the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana website. It was repaired and continued to serve the county until 1895 when commissioners hired an architect from Fort Wayne to design a fireproof courthouse. Construction for the building began in 1896. County officials were able to move into the completed courthouse in
1898. Since then the courthouse has received continuous upkeep and in 1996 decorative painters restores original interior stencils, gilding, and a 16-color paint scheme in celebration of the courthouse’s 100th birthday. The roof of the courthouse was replaced in 2012 from shingles to slate, that is said to resemble the slate that covered the roof when it was built in 1896 to 1898. The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1983.
various governmental services. Awarded American Water Works Association’s Water Landmark Award 1986. Listed in National Register of Historic Places 2003.
The Remington Water Tower and Town Hall Built 1897 by Challenge Wind and Feed Mill Company of Batavia, Illinois. Rare tower and wood tank structure is an original example of nineteenth century public water utility facility, construction methods, and technology. Tower has limestone foundation, is 104 feet tall and approximately 20 feet in diameter, with two-foot thick brick walls. Original 1897 tank replaced 1924 by Challenge; 66, 000 gallon tank is made of horizontally curved cypress battens held in place by metal binder rings. Additions made to structure, which has housed
Fountain Park Chautauqua The Fountain Park Chautauqua was created in 1895 by Remington Bank president Robert Parker. He envisioned an annual assembly to be held for people to discuss topics including religion, science, literature and the arts that was based on the Chautauqua movement that began in 1874. Chautauqua was a way for smaller communities to gain access to cultural and educational enrichment. Camp was in session during the summer and participants would take classes and enjoy a variety of speakers and entertainers. Arranged in a large loop, the Fountain Park grounds originally contained a large area for tents (permanent cabins would come later), a tabernacle, a hotel and dining room, a shelter house, and other buildings on over 30 acres. At the center of the loop was a large shaded opening that served as a large gathering space and play area. Today, the grounds consist of 17 acres and there are permanent cabins in place of the tents but the remainder
