[3] The site of the county seat was chosen on February 15, 1821, by a team of commissioners, who suggested the name Tiptona, in honor of John Tipton.

[citation needed] The current Bartholomew County courthouse was built from 1870 to 1874 by McCormack and Sweeney of Columbus at a cost of $225,000.

The courthouse is built largely of brick and has mansard roofs typical of the Second Empire French style.

The inscription indicating the commissioners, architect and date is high up on the east facade.

[4] Today the Bartholomew County Veterans Memorial designed by American architect Charles Rose sits adjacent to the Courthouse.

The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.

The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association.

Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government.

The ISC was an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Diploma Program.

Ivy Tech Community College Columbus is located in Bartholomew County.