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In 1855, a bill authorizing the erection of a new court- house passed the General Assembly, and became a law. August 12th, 1856, on invitation of the commissioners of Luzerne county, Lodge No. 61 Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons laid the cornerstone of the third court house in the public square in Wilkes-Barre. Hon. John N. Conyngham was selected and invited by the lodge to deliver an address on the occasion. The committee of arrangements, appointed by the lodge, made every preparation to secure a general attendance of the citizens of the county.
After prayer by the chaplain of the day, the ceremony of laying the stone was gone through with. There was deposited in the stone, a copy of the Holy Bible; an American dollar and its parts; lists of the names of members of the several lodges of masons in the county ; list of names of the county officers ; list of names of members of the bench and bar ; list of names of the municipal officers of the borough of Wilkesbarre ; a copy of each paper published in the county ; a copy of Judge Conyngham's address. A large concourse of citizens, together with a number of ladies, were in attendance to witness the proceedings. The ceremonies were closed with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Hickock.
The main building, appropriated to county offices, is 100 feet in front by 55 feet in depth. The court room is 75 by 50 feet, and the rear building, occupied by the judges, lawyers, and juries' rooms, is 65 by 30 feet. The tower is 118 feet in height. The cost of this structure, including furniture, was about $70,000. The style of architecture is the Romanesque, an order invented in later ages in imitation of the Roman. The architect was Mr. J. C. Wells, of New York, but the building was erected under the immediate superintendence of Mr. D. A. Fell. It is regarded as a substantial and commodious fire-proof edifice. It was commenced and pushed forward almost to completion under the energetic administration of Benjamin F. Pfouts, William A. Tubbs, and Silas Dodson, Esquires, county commissioners.
