Wood County celebrated its 100-year-old courthouse Tuesday with a presentation, proclamation and displays.

County commissioners heard from county Historical Commission Chairman Jimmy Phillips concerning the history of the county and its courthouse, followed by the proclamation from County Judge Kevin White.

They declared March 18 as the historic courthouse day.

The displays were viewed starting during a closed session commissioners held to discuss legal matters.

The displays included historical photos and other artifacts, including a variety of items found on the courthouse grounds by metal detector and commission member Jerry Tinney.

The county was created in 1850, Phillips noted, and the first courthouse was on the square, a one-story log building.

A two-story frame structure was erected in 1854 and burned in 1878, which resulted in the loss of early county records. Its replacement lasted from its construction in 1883-84 until it, too, burned in 1924.

That’s when the current courthouse was built, opening in 1925, with an addition in 1949 and several upgrades since.

Phillips said the commission has a sense of urgency in preserving the county’s heritage, and this courthouse is an artifact of that era.

In the proclamation, White said the courthouse was built with brick and mortar, hope and pride.