As the population and wealth of the county increased, it soon became evident that the old county buildings were not in harmony with the general progress of the county, and that new and more modern ones were necessary. So in 1816, the Commissioners entered into a contract with Nathan and Benjamin Bond, toward erecting a new court house. The work was pushed as rapidly as circumstances would allow, and soon a two-storied brick building stood on the site of the present one. It was, in shape, nearly square, and faced both streets. Philip Lewis was appointed by the county as Superintendent of construction, and the cost of the building was $7,370.00, while the interest on the balance due, the painting, fencing and other extras, ran the cost up to $7,782.09, the last payment being made in 1826.
In 1829, a brick jail was erected on the southwest corner of the court house lot facing High street, and cornering upon the alley. It was a two-storied building, containing four rooms, two in each story, and cost $832. The contractors were J. Warner and James Rankin. The Jailer lived in the two front rooms, the two others being used as cells. The jail was not fully completed until 1830, when it was ready for the reception of prisoners.
The offices of the Treasurer and Recorder were in a one story brick, between the court house and jail, on High street, while those of the Auditor and Clerk were in a similar building north of the court house, on Main street. The Sheriff's office was in a small frame structure, which stood between the court house and the offices of the Clerk and Auditor. These buildings were erected by Amos G. Thompson, at a cost of $294.50, Nathan Bond being paid $34 for extra work on the same. They were all small, cheap structures, but answered admirably the purposes and times for which they were built.
In November, 1830, Robert Hume bought a bell for the court house, at a cost of $105.60. The ironing and hanging cost $31.75, and was done by Robert Hume, William Jones and Nathan Bond. This is the same bell now in use in the belfry of the present court house, having performed its mission for more than half a century.