|
Old Fayette County Courthouse
- Old Fayette County Courthouse
-
|
Location: Fayetteville
Date Built: 1825
Architectural Style:
Vernacular with Second Empire clock tower
Designer: Finley
G. Stewart
|
| Other
Information: Fayette County's former courthouse, completed
in 1825, is the oldest former courthouse building still standing
in Georgia. The clock tower was added in 1888, though it was
not until 1910 that a clock was installed. The courthouse's interior
was remodeled as part of a general restoration in 1965. At that
time, a 58-foot hand-hewn heart of pine beam was removed and
installed along the entrance walkway, giving Fayette County a
claim to the "world's longest courthouse bench" (see
photo). The courthouse was restored yet again in 1982. On
the evening on April 11,1983, two indicted felons facing superior
court trial the next day broke into the Fayette County courthouse
and carried nine gallons of gasoline to the third floor, where
they set a fire hoping to burn evidence and records relevant
to their trial. The resulting fire badly damaged the third floor,
and destroyed the roof and clock tower. The remainder of the
courthouse suffered water and smoke damage, with a total loss
of over $1 million. Restoration of the courthouse began in August
1983 and was completed in May 1984. Meanwhile, Fayette County
officials had decided that the old courthouse was inadequate
for the county's government, so in 1983 construction began on
a new courthouse annex. Completed in 1985, the annex became the
new courthouse and county government center that year. Subsequently,
the old courthouse became the home of the Fayette County Chamber
of Commerce and the Fayette County Development Authority, while
the old courtroom on the third floor is used as a meeting and
reception hall. |
|
