Demolition starts of Seneca County courthouse clock tower

TIFFIN — After finally getting its crane repaired, B&B Wrecking and Excavating Thursday began tearing down the only remnant of Seneca County’s 1884 courthouse — the clock tower.

The wrecking ball began hitting the top of the tower shortly before 2 p.m., drawing a crowd of spectators along the streets. The crane had been idle since the first day of demolition Jan. 9.

Crews take down the the clock tower of the Seneca County Courthouse. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Earlier in the day, Tiffin Fire Chief William Ennis, Jr., went door to door along Court Street asking that offices there close for the afternoon as a safety measure. He said two law firms, the prosecutor’s office, and the Court Appointed Special Advocate office all agreed to close. The courthouse annex building, which houses the common pleas courts and the clerk of courts’ legal and title offices, also closed by noon.

“We recommended that while they take this very top part off that they take the rest of the day off,” Chief Ennis said, while watching the crane and wrecking ball work.

He said that while he expects B&B will remove the tower safely, “I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Both Washington and Market streets were closed for the afternoon though Chief Ennis anticipated they would be reopened Friday.