Crawford County Courthouse (Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Crawford County Courthouse
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Crawford County Courthouse (June 21, 1938)
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. 80, Knoxville, Georgia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architect | Henry Crews |
| Architectural style | Vernacular (Greek Revival influence) |
| MPS | Georgia County Courthouses TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001008 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1980 |
The Crawford County Courthouse in Knoxville, Georgia is a very old and important building. It was used as a courthouse from 1832 until 2001. For a long time, it was the oldest courthouse still being used in the state of Georgia! This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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History of the Old Courthouse
Back in 1822, the state government decided that Crawford County needed a special place for its main offices. This place is called the county seat. They wanted it to be close to the center of the county.
Until a proper building could be made, court meetings and elections were held at someone's home. In 1823, the town of Knoxville was chosen as the county seat.
Building the First Courthouse
Crawford County's very first courthouse was built sometime after Knoxville became the county seat. But sadly, this building burned down in 1829 or 1830.
So, in 1831, work began on a brand new courthouse. This new building was finished in January 1832. Over the years, it has been repaired and updated many times. For example, in the late 1960s, the inside was completely redone, and a small part was added.
Around 1890, a new railroad was built through Crawford County. It went from north to south. Interestingly, the railroad went near Knoxville but did not go through the town itself.
Today, this historic courthouse is home to the Crawford County Historical Society. They help preserve the county's past.
Why a New Courthouse Was Needed
The old courthouse was built long before things like elevators existed. This made it hard for people with disabilities to get around the building. Because of this, a new courthouse was built in 2001-2002. It is located just one block behind the old one.
The new courthouse has a clock tower on top. When it was first built, the clock tower actually sank into the roof, causing some damage. It has since been fixed, but some people in Knoxville still remember the problem.
The Courthouse Today
The old Crawford County Courthouse no longer holds court cases. Instead, it serves as a museum where you can learn about the county's history. It is also the main office for the Crawford County Historical Society.
The flag flying outside the courthouse is inspired by the Lone Star flag, which is the state flag of Texas.
Images for kids
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Crawford County Courthouse (June 21, 1938)
