Bulloch County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bulloch County Courthouse
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Bulloch County Courthouse in 2017
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | Courthouse Sq., Statesboro, Georgia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | Bruce & Morgan. 1894; Edward Columbus Hosford of Hosford & Co., 1914 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Queen Anne |
| MPS | Georgia County Courthouses TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000978 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1980 |
The Bulloch County Courthouse is a historic building in downtown Statesboro, Georgia. It's where the local government of Bulloch County does its work. This important building was finished in 1894. On September 18, 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special historical site.
Contents
A Look Back: The Courthouse Story
How Bulloch County Began
Bulloch County was officially created on February 8, 1796. It was formed from parts of Bryan and Screven counties. The county was named after Archibald Bulloch. He was Georgia's first temporary governor from 1776 to 1777.
In 1796, three men were chosen to find a good spot for the courthouse and jail. The first county court meetings were held in a private home. This continued until the first courthouse was built.
Early Days and Changes
For many years, Bulloch County did not have its own lawyers or judges. They arrived after the Civil War. In 1803, the state of Georgia decided to name the new county seat "Statesborough." This was in exchange for land to build public buildings.
Bulloch County didn't have a courthouse until 1806. Before that, court meetings happened in homes or even under a large walnut tree! Statesboro didn't grow much for 50 years. It was mainly known as the place where court took place.
On December 5, 1864, during the Civil War, General William Sherman's army burned the courthouse. A new courthouse was built soon after. It was a two-story wooden building.
A New Courthouse and a Clock
In 1894, the county decided to build an even newer courthouse. The old wooden building was sold. By December 1894, the current courthouse was finished. It cost about $20,000, including its furniture.
In 1897, the people of Bulloch County worked together. They raised money to buy and install a clock at the courthouse.
Remembering History
On April 26, 1909, a monument was dedicated. It honors the Confederate soldiers who served from 1861 to 1865. The United Daughters of the Confederacy helped raise money for this monument. It stands on the courthouse square.
The Bulloch County Courthouse also appeared in the film 1969. For the movie, the "B" in Bulloch County was changed to a "C" to create "Culloch County."
Building Design: Architecture
How the Courthouse Was Designed
The courthouse was designed by Bruce and Morgan in 1894. In 1914, it was updated by Edward Columbus Hosford. He was famous for designing courthouses in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. He added tall columns and large brick sections.
Over the years, the courthouse had many changes. Different colored bricks were used. This might be why the outside was covered with white plaster.
Restoring Its Look
By the 1990s, the county decided to make the courthouse look like it did originally. This restoration started in 1998. Some of the white plaster was removed. It contained a material that needed to be handled carefully. The rest of the plaster was painted to look like red brick. The restoration was finished in 2000.
The Courthouse Today
How It's Used Now
The Bulloch County Courthouse is still used today. In the 1990s, it became too small for all its important jobs. So, it expanded into nearby buildings.
Bulloch County also built a new building called a "judicial annex." It's located across the street from the courthouse. Now, county offices are in a former bank building. The courts and judges' offices are in the new annex.
