The history, architecture and cultural significance of the Mercer County Courthouse are being highlighted in a new mini-documentary from the Supreme Court of Ohio.

The courthouse is featured in the latest installment of “Seats of Justice,” an ongoing series exploring historic courthouses and the communities they serve across Ohio.

Dedicated in 1923, the Celina courthouse is listed as a nationally registered historic place and is recognized for its Neoclassical architecture.

One of the building’s more unusual historical features was its women’s restroom. When the courthouse opened, officials openly promoted the facility, which was considered a rarity in American courthouses at the time. The building was dedicated only a few years after women gained the constitutional right to vote nationwide.

The courthouse also contains a leaded stained-glass dome. Its decorative borders include images inspired by ancient Greek and Roman mythology, connecting the building’s design to Greece and the development of modern democracy.

The building has also inspired local art. A musical about the courthouse was written and performed during its 75th anniversary celebration in 1998.

The Supreme Court said the courthouse’s architecture reflects both the origins of the American legal system and the changing nature of justice in the United States.

The Mercer County episode is available through Court News Ohio. Previous installments of the “Seats of Justice” series can also be viewed through the Ohio Channel.