Historic Courthouse of Georgia: Part 4

Our fourth installment of Historic Courthouses of Georgia:

Historic Paulding County Courthouse located in downtown Dallas, Georgia

Clock tower of the historic Paulding County Courthouse

current Paulding County Courthouse in Dallas, Georgia

Historic Fayette County Courthouse in downtown Fayetteville, Georgia

clock tower of the historic Fayette County Courthouse

current Fayette County Courthouse in Fayetteville, Georgia

Spaulding County Courthouse in Griffin, Georgia

Clock tower of the Spaulding County Courthouse

Pike County Courthouse in Zebulon, Georgia

Clock Tower of the Pike County Courthouse in Zebulon, Georgia

Upson County Courthouse in Thomaston, Georgia

Clock tower of the Upson County Courthouse

Taylor County Courthouse in Butler, Georgia

Clock tower of the Taylor County Courthouse

Police precinct on the Taylor County Courthouse square

Schley County Courthouse in Ellaville, Georgia

Clock tower on the Schley County Courthouse

Sumter County Courthouse in Americus, Georgia

Clock tower of the Sumter County Courthouse

Lee County Courthouse in Leesburg, Georgia

Clock tower of the Lee County Courthouse

A spur of the moment trip yielded two additional stops in early October:

Historic White County Courthouse in Cleveland, GA

White County Courthouse in Cleveland, GA

Jasper County Courthouse in Monticello, GA

Jasper County Courthouse, Monticello, GA

Our progress:

Historic Courthouses of Georgia: Part Three

Returning to Georgia from our ten day Pure Michigan summer adventure afforded us the opportunity to photograph a few more Georgia courthouses along US 41 in north Georgia.

Catoosa County Courthouse in Ringgold, GA

The Catoosa County Courthouse was built in 1939 in the Colonial Revival style.  Ringgold is known for quick marriages; we witnessed a young couple arrive in time to meet the judge on this Saturday afternoon.

Whitfield County Courthouse located in Dalton, Georgia

This modern courthouse was built in 2006 in Whitfield County.  This structure encompasses the 1961 courthouse.

Gordon County Courthouse located in Calhoun, GA

Gordon County's modern 1961 courthouse reflect classical revival influences.

Bartow County 1903 Courthouse located in Cartersville, GA

The Neoclassical Revival structure was built in 1903 in Bartow County.  It continues to be used for various governmental purposes although a new, modern facility has been constructed adjacent to this property.

Cobb County Courthouse located in Marietta, GA 

Cobb County sports a modern courthouse with Classical Revival influences.  The structure was completed in 2010.

Historic Courthouses of Georgia: Part Two

Our quest to photograph the exterior of Georgia's historic courthouses continues.  We've doubled our collection and can now count 23 of 159 complete.

My interest in architectural styles is growing.  I'm fascinated by the similar styles built in the same time periods in various counties.  What does each design tell us about the time period, the economy, the political climate, and the people in each community at that time?

Baker County Historic Courthouse in Newton, Georgia

Despite being surrounded by a river rock fence, the 1906 Romanesque Revival courthouse in Baker County endured two major floods:  1925 and 1994. The latter flood placed the building seventeen feet underwater.  This structure now serves the community as a voting precinct.

Baker County current courthouse in Newton, Georgia

Baker County moved its courthouse to this 1933 school building in 2000.  The original bell from the 1906 structure has a place of honor on the new courthouse grounds.

Calhoun County Courthouse in Morgan, Georgia

Built in 1935, the Calhoun County Courthouse.  Stately trees offer some welcome shade.  This courthouse is an example of Colonial Revival architecture. 

Clay County Courthouse in Fort Gaines, Georgia

The Clay County Courthouse was built in 1873 with Greek Revival Influences. 

Decatur County Courthouse in Bainbridge, Georgia

The Decatur County Courthouse was built in 1902 in the Neoclassical Revival style.  A park is the featured centerpiece of the square in Bainbridge; the courthouse is situated off the northwest corner of the park.

Early County Courthouse in Blakely, Georgia

Early County's 1905 Courthouse is another example of the Neoclassical Revival architectural style. Flanked on each corner by large shade trees, the courthouse stands as the focal point of the Blakely square.

Grady County Courthouse in Cairo, Georgia

This Grady County Courthouse was built in 1985 to replace its 1905 structure which was lost to fire.  The new building is a Classic Revival.  The prior courthouse was built in the Renaissance Revival style.

Miller County Courthouse in Colquitt, Georgia

Miller County's Modern design courthouse was built in 1977, following the destruction of its previous courthouse by fire in 1974.  This structure is situated on the square in Colquitt.

Mitchell County Courthouse in Camilla, Georgia

 The Mitchell County Courthouse was built in 1936 in the Stripped Classical design using marble.  Two large magnolia trees flank the sides of the building. 

Quitman County Courthouse in Georgetown, Georgia

In 1939, Quitman County built this Stripped Classical design that features some Colonial Revival elements.

Randolph County Historic Courthouse in Cuthbert, Georgia

This 1886 Queen Anne design is the Randolph County Historic Courthouse.  This historic building now serves as Cuthbert's Welcome Center. 

Randolph County current courthouse in Cuthbert, Georgia

 In 2015 Randolph County moved its courthouse to this modern facility.

Seminole County Courthouse in Donalsonville, Georgia

Seminole County's 1922 Courthouse was designed in the Neoclassical Revival/Beaux Arts style.  Two palm trees stand guard on either side of a wide walkway leading to the front entrance in this southwestern-most Georgia county.  Medallions featuring Seminole Indian profiles are embedded on the building's facade.

Thomas County Historic Courthouse in Thomasville, Georgia

Built in 1858, the Thomas County Courthouse still stands as a magnificent focal point in downtown Thomasville.  The building has been remodeled several times, most recently in 2013.  A new Judicial Center was built across the street in 2009.

Thomas County Judicial Center in Thomasville, Georgia

The map of where we've been looks like a paint by number canvas.  

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.