1881-1940
Third Courthouse

The new, and fourth, courthouse is built of “tapestry” brick manufactured in McKean County. In shades from black to dull red, the brick contrasts with the lighter Indiana limestone trim.

The grounds were originally landscaped by experts from what was then Pennsylvania State Collage who supervised the planting of over 900 shrubs. A wide flight of stone steps leads up from Main Street to a large plaza
and flagpole. Six stone columns support a portico that is topped by a four-faced clock tower.

The courthouse is designed with four entrances. One each on Church and State Streets, and one in the back of the building off King Street designed to give access to the document offices - Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court and Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts.

It is the main entrance, however, that is spectacular. Inside the double bronze doors is a small vestibule with bronze tablets recalling the history of the county’s courthouses, and the marble tablet rescued from the debris of the 1940 fire. Walnut doors lead to the marbled circular main lobby that is illuminated by a huge circular light. The floors in all the public areas of the building are made of patterns of terrazzo, containing highly polished marble in small pieces in a variety of attractive colors.

JUDGE MENCER HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS “DISTINGUISHED PENNSYLVANIAN” SELECTION
Smethport's popular Judge Glenn Mencer was honored in 1986 by Gannon University as a member of the very short list of Distinguished Pennsylvanians. Over the years others also honored with the award included Thomas J. Ridge, H. John Heinz, William Scranton III, Richard Thornburgh and Andrew Wyeth. Born May 18, 1925 in Smethport to Ruth L. Rice Mencer and Glenn H. Mencer, Judge Mencer graduated from Smethport High School in 1943. He entered the U.S. Army in 1943 during WWII and served in France, Germany and Austria. He is a 1949 graduate of University of Michigan and received a J.D. Degree in 1952. He developed a successful law practice in Eldred during the 1950s and 1960s and served as McKean County District Attorney from 1956 until 1964. In November 1964, at the age of 38, he was elected President Judge of the 48th Judicial district (McKean County) and served in that position until 1970 when he was appointed by Governor Raymond Shafer as an original member of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. In 1982 he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania and continued as US District Judge until his retirement in 1994. On June 24, 1950 he married Hannah J. Freyer. They have three children: Ruth Ann, Cora Jane and Glenn John.

Smethport's Judge Glenn Mencer was
honored by Gannon University as a
member of the very short list of
Disinguished Pennsylvanians during
1981-1995.
Hannah Mencer Collection