Chenango County is named for an Onondaga Native American word meaning “large bull-thistle”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Madison County
E – Otsego County and Delaware County
S – Broome County
W – Broome County and Cortland County
Created: March 15, 1798 
County Seat:
Norwich 1798 – present
County Courthouse – Norwich
Location: 5 Court Street / Fair Street
Built: 1958 – 1960
Style: Modern
Architect: Ketcham-Miller-Arnold
Contractor: J W Rouse Construction Corporation.
Description: The building faces east and is a two story concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Norwich, The courts section is contained in the north wing with entrance at the southwest. The administration is contained in the west wing with entrance in the center of the east front. The roof line is flat.
Old County Courthouse – Norwich
Location: NW – North Broadway / West Main Street\
Built: 1837 – 1840
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: David Griffing and Alfred Purdy
Contractor: David Griffing and Alfred Purdy
Description: The building faces east and is a two story gray colored stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Norwich to the east of the courthouse. The east front has a wide porch supported by four large columns rising to a wide pediment. On the center of the roof is a square cupola with gold dome and statue of Justice at the top.
Note: The first courthouse was a log cabin built by Colonel William Monroe in 1790. The contract for the second courthouse was first awarded to William Randall of Norwich and William Knowlton of Smithville but they were replaced by David Griffing and Alfred Purdy . The cost of construction exceeded $9,000.
County Sheriff Office and Jail – Norwich
Location: NE – Park Street / Court Street
Built: 1902 – 1903
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: William J Breadsley of Poughkeepsie
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Norwich to the east of he courthouse. The south and west fronts have a wide porticoes with three white colored columns. The roof is hipped.
County Courthouse – Norwich
Old County Courthouse - Norwich
Old County Sheriff Office and Jail - Norwich
Photos taken 2010