Old Gwinnett County Courthouse

 

Location: Lawrenceville

Date Built: 1885

Architectural Style: Mixed, with Second Empire elements on clock tower

Designer: E.G. Lind

Other Information: A temporary courthouse was built in 1820, followed by a brick structure in 1824. This building burned in 1871, and a new courthouse was built the next year on the same site. Many local residents -- including the county commissioin chairman -- complained about the design and construction of this courthouse. Thirteen years later, much of the building was torn down and a new courthouse was completed in 1885 (see postcard). The clock tower was added around the turn of the century. An addition to the rear of the courthouse was built in 1935. Later, the red brick courthouse was painted white. After the Gwinnett Administration and Judicial Center was completed in 1988, county officials moved out of the old courthouse. In 1991-92, Gwinnett County undertook a $3.5 restoration of the old courthouse that included removal of the white paint from the brick. Since then, the old courthouse has been used for educational, cultural, and social events, also serving as home of the Gwinnett Historical Society.

© Carl Vinson Institute of Government

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