The Ritchie County Courthouse held its centennial celebration Friday afternoon on the Ritchie County Courthouse lawn in Harrisville. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

HARRISVILLE — The Ritchie County Courthouse held its centennial celebration Friday afternoon on the Ritchie County Courthouse lawn.

The celebration started with a welcome by Ritchie County Historical Society President Mike Nichols.

He then introduced the presenting and posting of the colors by the Harris-Ritchie VFW Post 3554, followed by an opening prayer by the Rev. Bill Dawson, the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem by Taylor Krolic and a gun salute and Taps also by the Harris-Ritchie VFW Post 3554.

Ritchie County Commissioner Randall Riggs started off the extensive list of guests that spoke at the commemoration.

“It’s a great day in Ritchie County,” Riggs said in his opening remarks, reading a proclamation sent up by the Wood County Commission “acknowledging the historical” milestone.

Ritchie County Historical Society President Mike Nichols welcomes attendees for the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Ritchie County Courthouse. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

“The Ritchie County Courthouse was constructed in 1923,” read Riggs. “It was added to the Historical Registry in 2004.”

Riggs then introduced Ritchie County Commissioner Steve Ritter who spoke on the history and background of the Ritchie County Courthouse.

“It was an elaborate and high styled courthouse for its time,” Ritter stated. “In 1844 was when the original courthouse was built, and in 1922 there were bids being put out for a new courthouse.”

Ritter went on to discuss all that went into building the courthouse that stands at East Main Street today, including the construction of the new Judicial Building that is being built on the northside of the courthouse.

“The new Judicial Building will include the Sheriff’s Office, Magistrate Court, Family Court, the Day Report Center, and many other additions,” said Ritter. “It is set to be completed next year.”

Ritchie County Commissioner Randall Riggs introduces several of the honored guest speakers attending the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Ritchie County Courthouse. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

The courthouse’s honored guest speakers included: Judge Timothy Sweeney, Ritchie County Sheriff Terry Snodgrass, state Delegate Trenton Barnhart, Delegate David Kelly, state Senator Mike Azinger, Jessicah Cross representating U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s office, Brian Aluise representating U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s office, Executive Director of West Virginia Association of Counties Jonathan Adler, Curator from the WV Department of Arts, Culture and History Randall Reid-Smith, and Peggy Elliott from the Ritchie County Historic Landmarks Commission.

Towards the end of the ceremony, Reid-Smith presented a Certificate of Recognition from Gov. Jim Justice to the Ritchie County Courthouse and Elliott, on behalf of the Ritchie County Historic Landmarks Commission, presented the Ritchie County Commissioners with a historic landmark marker for the courthouse.

The jubilee ended with recognition of past and present delegates, county officials, employees, and elected officials that have been a part of the courthouse’s history.

“The sun always shines in Ritchie County as do the people,” Adler said, modifying President John F. Kennedy’s quote about West Virginia.

Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com

Peggy Elliott, on behalf of the Ritchie County Historic Landmarks Commission, presented the Ritchie County Commissioners with a historic landmark for the Ritchie County Courthouse. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Cake and drinks were served following the 100th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of the Ritchie County Courthouse. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Many Ritchie County residents attended Friday’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of the Ritchie County Courthouse. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Many Ritchie County residents attended Friday’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of the Ritchie County Courthouse. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Many Ritchie County residents attended Friday’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of the Ritchie County Courthouse. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Photos set up at the Ritchie County Courthouse’s 100th Anniversary Celebration reflect the past images of the Ritchie County Courthouse over the years. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)