From a log tavern in Beavercreek Township to a series of old courtrooms throughout Xenia, the Greene County Courthouse has had a long journey to its current location.

The first court proceedings in Greene County occurred in 1803, in a log cabin built by one of the county’s first associate judges. As the county grew, its first formal courthouse was built in 1809 and the second in 1843.

In 1902, a new courthouse was constructed with white Italian marble and sandstone from Indiana. It features an asymmetrical square clock tower, magnificent stained glass, and stone griffins, gargoyles, and lions lining the walls.

However, in 1974, a destructive tornado tore through Xenia and made the town’s future uncertain.

“A lot of people still claim that the tornado ripped the heart of town out,” said Catherine Wilson, former executive director of the Greene County Historical Society.

The courthouse was narrowly avoided by the path of the tornado but was shut down as residents rebuilt their lives and homes. The Supreme Court of Ohio assisted the county by providing additional judges to help with the court’s caseload, and the building has now been the center of the Greene County court system for more than a century.

“This is a building I don’t believe could ever be reproduced,” said Stephen Wolaver, a retired common pleas court judge who presided over cases in the courthouse for nearly two decades.

Learn more about Greene County, its courthouse, and the county history in the mini-documentary series, “Seats of Justice,” the Supreme Court’s ongoing tour of Ohio courthouses. Check back for more episodes documenting other historic courthouses, or watch past installments of the series on the Ohio Channel.

America commemorated its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, marking a historic milestone in the nation's journey. To honor the semiquincentennial, the Court hosted a year-long celebration titled “The Story of America,” highlighting significant historical events that shaped both the nation and Ohio. In addition to digital content, the initiative has featured special events and exhibits at the Court. The celebration aims to spark curiosity, strengthen civic literacy, and recognize pivotal moments in American and Ohio history.