TROY, Ohio — An Ohio non-profit has been working around the clock for months now to save and bring life once again to a historic courthouse in downtown Troy.

Spectrum News first checked out the project back in February and now we head back inside as the building prepares for its next chapter.

What You Need To Know

  • For months the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance have been working to save the old 1841 historic Troy Courthouse

  • The non-profit raised nearly $1M from businesses and donors to repair the roof, windows and begin painting

  • The efforts helped opened West Main Street and the sidewalk

  • The group plans to hand over ownership

Traffic is moving a lot smoother these days through downtown Troy, all because one historic building is getting back into shape.

Martin Stewart and Ben Sutherly are members of the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance.

They’ve been working to repair the old courthouse.

It was built in 1841, twenty years before the Civil War, and it’s the 6th oldest courthouse in the state of Ohio.

The nonprofit had four months to repair the roof, and they got it done.

“They literally cut this roof into three pieces and lifted two tresses and the entire roof assembly off at a time. It was pretty interesting to see,” Stewart said.

That’s not the only building the group was trying to save. 

Grafted onto the front and seen from West Main Street, is a three story building from 1902 used by a fraternal organization called The Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The buildings haven’t been touched in about 80 years.

“We’re pushing a million dollars that has been invested in this building so far to get it ready for its next chapter,” Sutherly said.

The sidewalk had been closed since a tornado hit the building in January 2020 and West Main Street had been closed for almost an entire year.

“It had a big impact on the downtown. When the street reopened, we needed to make sure we put in place something so the sidewalk could reopen at the same time. So for the last few months it’s been working out really well,” Sutherly said.

Nearly 350 businesses, organizations and private donors contributed to the restoration process.

The nonprofit battled court deadlines, tons of bees, squirrels, and pigeons. But they say it’s all been worth it.

“There’s still more of this story that needs to be told and we’re looking forward to sharing that here very soon,” Sutherly said.

The courthouse was recognized twice on Ohio’s list of most endangered buildings and now it’s off and the non-profit is hoping to transfer ownership very soon.

“So now it’s time to put the building into the hands of someone who can fully develop it and set it up for its next chapter,” Sutherly said.

The Troy Preservation Alliance will take their proposal before the city’s planning commission this Wednesday for approval.

They’re hopeful the next owner can have the building finished up by mid-2026.