During these five years there was a notable addition to the public building of the city in the completion of the present courthouse, which was finished, ready for occupancy, in 1870. The courthouse is a handsome and commanding structure and has served the purpose of the county well to the present time, though the business and population of the county have doubled since its erection; it cost about $75,000. During the same year (1870) 2he handsome brick church building on the site of the old American house was erected by the Court Street Methodist church; it was dedicated August 18, 1870. The lower floor was built for store purposes, the auditorium being on the second floor; this was used as a place of worship until 1906, when the two Methodist churches united and erected a new church building on the west side of the river.