Historic Courthouses of Georgia: Part One

Timing is everything!  Though we've talked about this project off and on for many years, we had never started it.  Until now.

We were in the perfect place to launch this #georgiabucketlist project:  the northwestern-most county of the state.

Initially, Jamie had wanted to tackle this challenge during his thirty-year career as a State Trooper by having his picture taken in uniform on the steps of every courthouse in Georgia.  But that was before the ease of cell phone cameras for selfies, and when life was busier, filled with kids' activities and his fast-paced travel from one end of the state to the other week after week, leaving little time to do anything extra.

Not only did we get started with a photograph of the historic Dade County Courthouse, and its newer counterpart, but also we captured those of ten additional counties on Georgia's western border.  That leaves just six more western border counties!  We are well on our way with this project, having photographed 11 of 159 in our first round.

And, yes, we are well aware that at least two others have published books of photographs of all 159 county courthouses.  We have them.

This is our challenge:  to visit every county seat and to capture a professional quality image of each historic courthouse.  What we decide to do with the images in the long run, only time will tell.  For now, we're sharing with you.  As we gather more research on each structure, we will edit our posts; this will be a work in progress for a quite a while.

Historic Dade County Courthouse located in Trenton, Georgia

Built in 1926, the historic Dade County Courthouse was constructed in the Carpenter Style.  The structure is situated in a town square with traffic flowing in a roundabout pattern.  A memorial park with garden area is situated on the western side across the street.

The new Dade County Court Facility

Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette, Georgia 

Built in 1917, the Walker County Courthouse was designed by architect Charles E. Bearden in the Beaux Arts/Renaissance Revival style.  The three-story structure features a cream colored brick exterior enhanced with six pairs of columns and triplicate windows.

Chattooga County Courthouse in Summerville, Georgia

Floral baskets hanging from light posts provide a warm summer welcome to this well-kept town.  An example of neoclassical architecture, the Chattooga County Courthouse was built in 1909.  A renovated depot and a train engine turntable are within walking distance.

Historic Floyd County Courthouse in Rome, Georgia

Polk County Courthouse in Cedartown, Georgia

The grounds of the Polk County Courthouse feature a sports walk of fame featuring local athletic standouts.  The Neoclassical style Courthouse #2 is adjacent to this structure; it was formerly the Cedartown City Hall.

Historic Haralson County Courthouse in Buchanan, Georgia

Historic Haralson County Courthouse in Buchanan, Georgia

Haralson County built a modern facility in the 1970s about a mile away from this site, but the historic landmark courthouse still stands on the town square.  Currently, the local library is housed here.

 Historic Carroll County Courthouse in Carrollton, Georgia

Carroll County Courthouse, circa 2012

Carroll County's Italian Renaissance style courthouse was built in 1928 following a fire that destroyed its previous building.  In 2012 the county added a five story, 125,000 square foot facility adjacent to the 1928 building.

Heard County Courthouse in Franklin, Georgia 

The Heard County Courthouse is currently undergoing renovation.

Troup County Courthouse in LaGrange, Georgia

Glance quickly at this courthouse and you may think you're looking at the Mitchell County Courthouse.  This is the Troup County Courthouse, constructed in 1939 in stripped classical style.  Although the county has constructed larger, newer facilities adjacent to this building, this building continues to function as a courthouse for juveniles.

 Chattahoochee County Courthouse in Cusseta, Georgia

This modern facility houses the courts of Chattahoochee County in Cusseta.  The Old Chattahoochee Courthouse (not pictured) was built in 1854 and was moved to the Westville outdoor museum in Lumpkin.  Westville is no longer operational and the buildings there are slated to move to Columbus.  

Historic Terrell County Courthouse in Dawson, Georgia

Built in 1892 and restored in 2009, the Victorian style Terrell County Courthouse claims to be the tallest historic courthouse in the state.   Superior Court is housed here; other government functions are housed in a separate location.