In 1944, the interior of the Fayette County courthouse dome was repaired and painted. Workers put up scaffolding before making the repairs. Construction of the fifth Fayette County courthouse began in July 1898 and was finished Feb. 1, 1900. The courthouse was a Richardson Romanesque style, a three-story stone masonry building, with a dome, clock and cupola (with weather vane). In 1960 and 1961, the interior of the courthouse was extensively renovated to provide more courtrooms and offices. Those renovations included removing the interior “Y” stairs and closing off the dome. The last trial was held in the courthouse in 2002, and the Lexington History Center opened in 2003. During 2012, the courthouse was closed to the public because paint and asbestos were found in the upper floors. Proposals are under consideration to restore the courthouse to the original design. This photo was published in the Lexington Leader on June 29, 1944. Herald-Leader Archive Photo