YREKA – Siskiyou County plans to tear down a courthouse built in 1856 to build an 8,000-square foot addition to the newer neighboring court complex.

The county will use $3.8 million in court construction funds to demolish the old courthouse and the old sheriff's office and jail.

The newer courthouse, built in 1954, will be remodeled as part of the project.

County supervisors say the old courthouse must go in part because of concerns over security and whether it can withstand earthquakes.

The decision is prompting some public criticism. Supervisors say they will try to save some of the materials from the old courthouse and may incorporate them into the new annex.

Information from: Siskiyou Daily News, www.siskiyoudaily.com/